The Effect of Undernutrition and Immunosuppression on Cytomegalovirus Specific T Cell Responses
E. David1, M. Zhu2, W. Parker2, N. MacIver1, A. D. Kirk2, E. T. Chambers1
1Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, 2Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC
Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: D-364
Keywords: Mice, Rapamycin, Viral therapy
Session Information
Session Name: Poster Session D: Lymphocyte Biology: Signaling, Co-Stimulation, Regulation
Session Type: Poster Session
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020
Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm
Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm
Location: Virtual
*Purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a significant issue in transplantation, especially in those who are undernourished. While undernutrition is associated with impaired T cell immunity in the general population, the mechanism in immunosuppressed patients remains unknown. We aimed to determine the differential effects of immunosuppressive medications on mCMV specific T cell immunity using a murine model of undernutrition.
*Methods: C57BL/6 mice inoculated with mCMV were either fasted for 48 hrs, an established surrogate for undernutrition, or fed ad libitum while receiving a once daily injection of either rapamycin (1mg/kg), tacrolimus (1mg/kg) or sham injection of phosphate buffer saline to serve as a control. Splenocytes were harvested and stimulated in vitro with mCMV viral peptides. T cell subsets, function and glucose uptake were examined by flow cytometry.
*Results: Non-immunosuppressed fasted mice had decreased mCMV specific T cell responses compared to non-immunosuppressed fed mice (Figure 1A; p = 0.0019). The immunosuppressant effect of fasting impaired mCMV specific T cell responses comparable to treatment with rapamycin and tacrolimus (Fig 1A). Non-immunosuppressed fasted mice had a decrease in CD8 T cell proliferation compared to non-immunosuppressed fed mice (Figure 1B; p = 0.041). Moreover, fasted mice treated with rapamycin had significantly lower CD8 T cell proliferation and relative frequency of CD8 central memory T cells (TCM) than non-immunosuppressed fasted mice, which was not seen with tacrolimus (Figure 1B; p = 0.0003 and Figure 1C; p = 0.0005). Lastly, fasted mice receiving rapamycin had decreased glucose uptake compared to fasted mice receiving tacrolimus (Figure 1D; p = 0.043).
*Conclusions: Undernutrition has potent immunosuppressive effects on mCMV specific T cell immunity. Rapamycin, but not tacrolimus, exacerbates the effects of undernutrition on T cell responses against mCMV and glucose metabolism. This gives insight into tailoring immunosuppressive medications in undernourished patients.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
David E, Zhu M, Parker W, MacIver N, Kirk AD, Chambers ET. The Effect of Undernutrition and Immunosuppression on Cytomegalovirus Specific T Cell Responses [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/the-effect-of-undernutrition-and-immunosuppression-on-cytomegalovirus-specific-t-cell-responses/. Accessed December 12, 2024.« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress