The role of the CD95, CD38 and TGF beta 1 during active human cytomegalovirus infection in liver transplantation

• Published in: Cytokine (Philadelphia, Pa.) Pa.), 2006-08, Vol.35 (3-4), p.193-199
• Main Authors: Wang, Yuliang, Liu, Yawu, Zhang, Yanyan, Peng, Lin, Ma, Jun, Tang, Zhiqin, Gao, Wei, Zhu, Zhijun, Yao, Zhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human cytomegalovirus
• ISSN: 1043-4666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2006.08.001

Aim Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has highly evolved mechanisms for avoiding detection by the host immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression levels of TGF beta 1, soluble form of CD95, CD95 ligand (sCD95 and sCD95L, respectively) in plasma and CD95 expression on CD3 super(+) cells, CD38 expression on CD8 super(+) cells in liver transplanted recipients with active HCMV infection. Methods Blood samples were collected from 15 liver transplanted recipients with active HCMV infection and 15 recipients without HCMV infection. CD95 expression on CD3 super(+) cells and CD38 expression on CD8 super(+) cells were quantitatively detected with two-color fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. Lymphocyte surface phenotypes of CD4 and CD8 were detected with FACS analysis. Plasma sCD95, sCD95L and TGF beta 1 levels were determined with enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The results were compared with that from 15 healthy individuals. Results CD95 expression on CD3 super(+) T-cells and CD38 expression on CD8 super(+) cells were significantly increased in active HCMV infection group compared with that in stable group or healthy group (P < 0.01). No significant difference was seen between stable group and healthy group (P > 0.05). The percentages of CD4 super(+) T-cell and CD4/CD8 ratio in active HCMV infection group were significantly lower than the values in stable group and healthy group (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of TGF beta 1 and sCD95 were significantly increased in active HCMV infection group compared to stable group and healthy group (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma levels of sCD95L in healthy group were not significantly different from that expressed in active HCMV infection group and stable group (P > 0.05). Conclusion HCMV suppress proliferation of activated T cells by apoptosis and by releasing immunosuppressive cytokine TGF beta 1. This may provide an important clue to a better understanding of the pathogenesis in liver transplanted recipients with active HCMV infection.