Granzyme B producing B-cells in renal transplant patients

Publication date: Available online 28 April 2017
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Jiqiao Zhu, Ye Zeng, Sebastian Dolff, Anja Bienholz, Monika Lindemann, Alexandra Brinkhoff, Manfred Schedlowski, Shilei Xu, Ming Sun, Hana Guberina, Julia Kirchhof, Andreas Kribben, Oliver Witzke, Benjamin Wilde
ObjectivesA separate subset of Granzyme B (GrB) producing B-cells regulating T-cell mediated immunity has been identified. In the present study, we investigated the role of GrB⁺ B-cells in renal transplant patients (RTX).Methods12 healthy controls (HC) and 26 RTX patients were enrolled. In addition, 19 healthy volunteers treated with cyclosporine A (CsA) were enrolled. GrB⁺ B-cells were determined via flow cytometry.ResultsRTX Patients showed a diminished fraction of GrB⁺ B-cells as compared to HC. CsA treatment of healthy volunteers had no impact on the development of GrB⁺ B-cells. RTX patients with a history of allograft rejection showed an increased frequency of GrB⁺ B-cells. RTX patients with at least one episode of CMV viremia tended to have lower GrB⁺ B-cells as compared to patients without viremic episodes.ConclusionWe demonstrate that treatment with CsA does not impair the development of GrB⁺ B-cells. GrB⁺ B-cells may have a dual role in renal transplantation as regulatory cells to maintain allospecific tolerance and as effector cells enhancing viral control.



http://ift.tt/2pIasSf