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To determine whether polyfunctional CD4+ T-cell responses coupled with CD8+ T-cell responses against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are key to the control of HCMV replication we prospectively analyzed 29 liver transplant recipients for CD4+ T-cell responses against soluble HCMV antigen, pp65 and IE1 proteins, CD8+ T-cell responses against pp65 and IE1 proteins and a range of T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cytokines. Eleven patients (38%) developed HCMV DNAemia at a median of 21 days post-liver transplantation (range 17-31 days). There was a significantly lower frequency and absolute number of total HCMV CD4+ T cells producing IFNgamma, IFNgamma+IL2 and IL2 and pp65-CD8+ T cells producing IFNgamma in patients with DNAemia. The quantities of Th1 and Th2 cytokines present during the first 20 days posttransplant were not predictive of DNAemia. Cut-off levels during the first 20 days posttransplant of 0.1% of lysate stimulated CD4+ T cells producing IL2, and pp65-CD8+ T cells producing IFNgamma above 0.4% had positive and negative predictive values for DNAemia of 54% and 100% and 50% and 92%, respectively. Measuring polyfunctional CD4+ T cells against HCMV early posttransplant may allow targeted intervention to minimize the occurrence and acute and long-term consequences of HCMV replication.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-6143.2008.02425.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Am J Transplant

Publication Date

12/2008

Volume

8

Pages

2590 - 2599

Keywords

Adult, Aged, Antigens, Viral, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cytomegalovirus, DNA, Viral, Female, Humans, Immediate-Early Proteins, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-2, Linear Models, Liver Transplantation, Male, Middle Aged, Phosphoproteins, Prospective Studies, ROC Curve, Viral Matrix Proteins, Virus Replication