Immunological differences between heart- and kidney-transplanted children: a cross-sectional study

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder is a potentially mortal complication after heart transplantation in children. As the immune system plays a crucial role in the development of lymphoma, we explored the influence of thymus function in relation to immunosuppressive treatment in organ-t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cardiology in the young 2023-05, Vol.33 (5), p.787-792
Main Authors: Ekman-Joelsson, Britt-Marie, Brandström, Per, Allén, Maria, Andersson, Bengt, Wåhlander, Håkan, Mellgren, Karin, Ekwall, Olov
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Case-Control Studies
CHD
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
immune function
Immunologi inom det medicinska området
Immunology in the medical area
Immunosuppressive Agents
Kardiologi
Kidney
Pediatrics
Pediatrik
post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
T-Lymphocytes
thymus
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Summary:Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder is a potentially mortal complication after heart transplantation in children. As the immune system plays a crucial role in the development of lymphoma, we explored the influence of thymus function in relation to immunosuppressive treatment in organ-transplanted children and healthy control subjects. A prospective case-control study was performed at a single centre, in which 36 children who had undergone heart transplantation were compared to two control groups: 34 kidney-transplanted children and 33 healthy age- and sex-matched children. T- and B-lymphocyte subtypes and monocytes were analysed by flow cytometry, and T-cell receptor excision circles were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Heart-transplanted children had a lymphocyte profile characterised by reduced or absent thymic function with low numbers of T-cell receptor excision circles and total and naïve T cells, together with immune activation against the allograft. Despite similar immunosuppressive treatment, the kidney-transplanted group showed an activated T-lymphocyte compartment.
ISSN:1047-9511
1467-1107
1467-1107
DOI:10.1017/S1047951122001743