The development of transplant coronary artery disease after cardiac transplantation is correlated with a predominance of CD8+ T lymphocytes in endomyocardial biopsy derived T cell cultures

摘要: Long-term survival of heart transplant recipients is limited by the development coronary artery disease (TCAD). We analysed whether TCAD correlated with incidence acute rejection episodes, formation anti-HLA antibodies or composition and function T lymphocyte cultures derived from endomyocardial biopsies. was assessed visual analysis annually performed angiograms defined as presence all vascular changes, including minor wall irregularities. One year after transplantation, 31 77 patients studied had (40%). The median age mean number HLA mismatches in without were highly comparable. patient groups did not differ nor percentage biopsies yielding cell cultures. At 1 18/31 TCAD+ (58%) 27/46 TCAD- (57%) analysed. had, compared patients, a higher CD8+ cells (71% versus 25%, P = 0.06) lower CD4+ (4% 40%, 0.04). Similar differences found longitudinal culture results (EMBs) obtained during first year. cytotoxic reactivity against donor class I II antigens comparable two groups, although difference recognition specific remains possible. fact that EMB-derived differed phenotype populations gives some support to hypothesis cellular immunological processes are involved TCAD. However, while values differed, overlap percentages shows other factors besides also play role.