Objective To explore the relationship among CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell, the expression of FOXP3 mRNA levels of donor bone marrow (BM) and graft versus host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

Methods

  1. Thirty patients undergoing allo-HSCT were enrolled in this study. The levels of donor CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell were compared in the patients with GVHD and those without GVHD by immnofluorescence and flowcytometry.

  2. The donor BM expressions of Foxp3 mRNA levels were analyzed by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

  1. All patients achieved engraftment. ANC ≥0.5×109/L and PLT ≥ 20×109/L were at day 14(range, 12–15)and day 18 (range, 15–25) respectively. With a median follow-up of 12.8 (8–16) months, Acute GVHD occurred in 15 of 30 patients(50.0%) with gradeII–IV Acute GVHD (40.0%). Chronic GVHD developed in 6 (extensive 2, limited 4) out of 30 patients (20.0%).

  2. The levels of donor CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell pre-and pro-mobilization were (2.67±0.38)% and (5.01±1.33)% respectively, no difference were observed (P>0.05).

  3. Patients with I–II aGVHD demonstrated higher donor-type CD4+CD25+ immune regulatory T cell level than those with III–IV aGVHD; Patients with III–IV aGVHD showed much lower donor-type CD4+CD25+ immune regulatory T cell level than those without GVHD; no difference were observed between patients withI–II aGVHD and those without aGVHD.

  4. The transcripts of FOXP3 donor BM were detected in seven donors of thirty recipients who received allo-HSCT. Five patients had no GVHD after transplantation;two developedIaGVHD. Donor BM Foxp3 transcripts were never detected in patients with II–IV aGVHD.

Conclusion

  1. Donor-type CD4+CD25+ immune regulatory T cell level was relative to recipient II–IV aGVHD. Up-grade donor-type CD4+CD25+ immune regulatory T cell level could reduce the incidence of aGVHD.

  2. Donor BM FOXP3 transcripts were detected in patients without serious aGVHD after transplantation.

Topics:
graft-versus-host disease, acute, t-lymphocytes, graft-versus-host disease, allopurinol, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, rna, messenger, transplantation, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, follow-up

Disclosure: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Author notes

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Corresponding author

2006, The American Society of Hematology
2006
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