ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

A Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection Post-Transplantation Has a Significant Impact on Circulating T Cells and Renal Allograft Function

R. Meijers,1 N. Litjes,1 A. Langerak,2 C. Baan,1 M. Betjes.1

1Internal Medicine section Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: C242

Keywords: Cytomeglovirus, Kidney transplantation, Renal function, T cells

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session C: Translational Biomarkers and Immune Monitoring

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Monday, May 4, 2015

Session Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

 Presentation Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm

Location: Exhibit Hall E

Study's purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infection may profoundly affect the peripheral T-cell compartment and is associated with T-cell ageing and generation of cytotoxic CD4+CD28null T cells. We investigated the effect of a primary CMV-infection post-Kidney transplantation (KTx) in CMV-seronegative recipients receiving a kidney from a CMV-seropositive donor (D+/R-) on peripheral T cells under immunosuppression and valganciclovir prophylaxis.

Methods: Within the first year post-KTx, the presence of CMV-specific T cells and T-cell differentiation status were monitored. In addition, as ageing parameters we measured the thymic output by the T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC)-content and CD31-expressing naive T-cell numbers and the proliferative history by the relative telomere length (RTL). The D+/R- KTx-recipients were compared to recipients of a D+/R+ combination.

Results: In 12 out of 23 D+/R- KTx recipients CMV viremia was detected within the first year post-KTx whereas 3 other patients showed a serological response to CMV without a viremic episode and detectable CMV-specific T cells. Only in the viremic patients a significant impact of CMV-infection on T cells was observed. They developed CMV-specific, (IFN-γ-producing) CD137-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and their T-cell compartment shifted towards more differentiated memory cells with expansion of CD4+CD28null and CD8+CD28null T cells. One year post-KTx the total CD8+ T-cell count was almost doubled in this group compared to non-viremic D+/R- and D+/R+ recipients. Both the TREC-content (p=0.004) and CD31+naive CD4+ (p=0.04) and CD8+ (p=0.05) T-cell numbers were significantly decreased at 12 months post-KTx. The RTL of CD8+, but not CD4+ T cells significantly (p=0.04) declined in the D+/R- KTx-recipients post-KTx. The viremic D+/R- patients had a significant (p<0.01) lower glomerular filtration rate compared to D+/R+ KTx recipients at 12 months post-KTx.

Conclusion: A primary CMV-infection significantly impacts the peripheral T cells and enhances immunological T-cell ageing. In addition, primary CMV-infection negatively affects renal allograft function.

(This study was financially supported by the Dutch Kidney Foundation (KSPB.10.12)).

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Meijers R, Litjes N, Langerak A, Baan C, Betjes M. A Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection Post-Transplantation Has a Significant Impact on Circulating T Cells and Renal Allograft Function [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/a-primary-cytomegalovirus-infection-post-transplantation-has-a-significant-impact-on-circulating-t-cells-and-renal-allograft-function/. Accessed May 30, 2025.

« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences