CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells increase de novo in kidney transplant patients after immunodepletion with Campath-1H

Am J Transplant. 2008 Apr;8(4):793-802. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.02134.x. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

Campath-1H (Alemtuzumab) is an effective immunodepletion agent used in renal transplantation. To evaluate its influence on T lymphocytes during repletion, we analyzed peripheral blood from Campath-1H-treated renal allograft recipients for the presence of FOXP3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells. Flow cytometry demonstrated that CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) lymphocytes increased significantly within the CD4(+) T-cell population, skewing Treg/Teff (T effector) ratios for up to several years. In contrast, Treg levels in patients treated with anti-CD25 (Basiliximab) and maintained on CsA demonstrated a sustained decrease. The increase in Tregs in Campath-1H treated patients developed independent of maintenance immunosuppression. Importantly, the increase in Tregs was not fully explained by their homeostatic proliferation, increased thymic output, or Treg sparing, suggesting de novo generation/expansion. Consistent with this, in vitro stimulation of PBMCs with Campath-1H, with or without anti-CD3, activation led to an increase in CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) cells that had suppressive capabilities. Together, these data suggest that Campath-1H promotes an increase in peripheral Tregs and may act as an intrinsic generator of Tregs in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / therapeutic use*
  • Basiliximab
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / drug effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / immunology*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Depletion
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Alemtuzumab
  • Basiliximab
  • Sirolimus