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High Eomesodermin Expression Correlates with Potent Human Allo-Reactive CD8+ Effector T Cells.

A. Perez-Gutierrez, D. Metes, Y. Ono, A. Thomson, M. Ezzelarab.

Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Meeting: 2017 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: D22

Keywords: Effector mechanisms, Interferon (IFN), T cells, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session D: Diagnostics/Biomarkers Session II

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

 Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Hall D1

Background

The transcription factors Eomesodermin (Eomes) and T-bet are thought to play critical roles in CD8+ effector memory T cell development. However, the role of Eomes in development of alloreactive CD8+T cells is not well known. We have previously shown that reduced Eomes expression and upregulation of co-inhibitory cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) by CD8+T cells in renal allograft recipient monkeys is associated with attenuation of donor-reactive memory T cell responses and prolonged graft survival. We hypothesized that Eomes expression might be associated with enhanced effector/cytotoxic function by human alloactivated CD8+T cells.

Methods

Human T cells purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy volunteers were co-cultured with irradiated T-cell depleted allogeneic PBMC. Allo-activated CD8+T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry for expression of Eomes, T-bet and CTLA4. Proliferation and intracellular cytokine (INFγ and TNFα), Granzyme B and Perforin production following allo-stimulation were also assessed.

Results

Human CD8+T cells expressed variable levels of Eomes. High Eomes expression by non-activated CD8+T cells correlated with an effector memory phenotype. Eomeshi CD8+T cells comprised significantly higher percentages of INFγ, TNFα and Granzyme B positive cells, than Eomeslo CD8+T cells (p<0.05). Following allo-stimulation, the CD8+T cells exhibited wide variability in proliferation of Eomeshi versus Eomeslo populations. However, prolonged allo-stimulation was associated with a progressive increase in Eomes expression. Allo-activated Eomeshi CD8+T cells expressed significantly higher levels of INFγ, TNFα and Granzyme B compared to Eomeslo CD8+T cells (p<0.05). Both Emoeshi and Eomeslo allo-activated CD8+T cells expressed high levels of CTLA4 compared to non-activated CD8+T cells. Concomitant expression of Eomes and T-bet by allo-activated CD8+T cells was associated with significantly higher effector/cytotoxic cells, while lower expression of either Eomes or T-bet was associated with reduced effector/cytotoxic cells.

Conclusions

Irrespective of T-bet expression, higher Eomes expression by allo-activated CD8+T cells is associated with stronger effector/cytotoxic function. Unlike monkeys, upregulation of CTLA4 by human allo-activated CD8+T cells is not associated with downregulation of Eomes. Eomes may be an important novel biomarker for distinguishing human potent alloreactive effector memory T cells.

CITATION INFORMATION: Perez-Gutierrez A, Metes D, Ono Y, Thomson A, Ezzelarab M. High Eomesodermin Expression Correlates with Potent Human Allo-Reactive CD8+ Effector T Cells. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Perez-Gutierrez A, Metes D, Ono Y, Thomson A, Ezzelarab M. High Eomesodermin Expression Correlates with Potent Human Allo-Reactive CD8+ Effector T Cells. [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2017; 17 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/high-eomesodermin-expression-correlates-with-potent-human-allo-reactive-cd8-effector-t-cells/. Accessed May 8, 2025.

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