Vδ2
T cells form the predominant human γδ T-cell population in peripheral blood and mediate T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent anti-microbial and anti-tumour immunity. Here we show that the Vδ2
...compartment comprises both innate-like and adaptive subsets. Vγ9
Vδ2
T cells display semi-invariant TCR repertoires, featuring public Vγ9 TCR sequences equivalent in cord and adult blood. By contrast, we also identify a separate, Vγ9
Vδ2
T-cell subset that typically has a CD27
CCR7
CD28
IL-7Rα
naive-like phenotype and a diverse TCR repertoire, however in response to viral infection, undergoes clonal expansion and differentiation to a CD27
CD45RA
CX
CR1
granzymeA/B
effector phenotype. Consistent with a function in solid tissue immunosurveillance, we detect human intrahepatic Vγ9
Vδ2
T cells featuring dominant clonal expansions and an effector phenotype. These findings redefine human γδ T-cell subsets by delineating the Vδ2
T-cell compartment into innate-like (Vγ9
) and adaptive (Vγ9
) subsets, which have distinct functions in microbial immunosurveillance.
The use of kidneys donated after circulatory death (DCD) remains controversial due to concerns with regard to high incidences of early graft loss, delayed graft function (DGF), and impaired graft ...survival. As these concerns are mainly based on data from historical cohorts, they are prone to time-related effects and may therefore not apply to the current timeframe. To assess the impact of time on outcomes, we performed a time-dependent comparative analysis of outcomes of DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) kidney transplantations. Data of all 11,415 deceased-donor kidney transplantations performed in The Netherlands between 1990-2018 were collected. Based on the incidences of early graft loss, two eras were defined (1998-2008 n = 3,499 and 2008-2018 n = 3,781), and potential time-related effects on outcomes evaluated. Multivariate analyses were applied to examine associations between donor type and outcomes. Interaction tests were used to explore presence of effect modification. Results show clear time-related effects on posttransplant outcomes. The 1998-2008 interval showed compromised outcomes for DCD procedures (higher incidences of DGF and early graft loss, impaired 1-year renal function, and inferior graft survival), whereas DBD and DCD outcome equivalence was observed for the 2008-2018 interval. This occurred despite persistently high incidences of DGF in DCD grafts, and more adverse recipient and donor risk profiles (recipients were 6 years older and the KDRI increased from 1.23 to 1.39 and from 1.35 to 1.49 for DBD and DCD donors). In contrast, the median cold ischaemic period decreased from 20 to 15 hours. This national study shows major improvements in outcomes of transplanted DCD kidneys over time. The time-dependent shift underpins that kidney transplantation has come of age and DCD results are nowadays comparable to DBD transplants. It also calls for careful interpretation of conclusions based on historical cohorts, and emphasises that retrospective studies should correct for time-related effects.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In kidney patients COVID-19 is associated with severely increased morbidity and mortality. A comprehensive comparison of the immunogenicity, tolerability, and safety of COVID-19 vaccination in ...different cohorts of kidney patients and a control cohort is lacking.
This investigator driven, prospective, controlled multicenter study included 162 participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G4/5 (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2), 159 participants on dialysis, 288 kidney transplant recipients, and 191 controls. Participants received 2 doses of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna). The primary endpoint was seroconversion.
Transplant recipients had a significantly lower seroconversion rate when compared with controls (56.9% versus 100%, P < 0.001), with especially mycophenolic acid, but also, higher age, lower lymphocyte concentration, lower eGFR, and shorter time after transplantation being associated with nonresponder state. Transplant recipients also showed significantly lower titers of neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses when compared with controls. Although a high seroconversion rate was observed for participants with CKD G4/5 (100%) and on dialysis (99.4%), mean antibody concentrations in the CKD G4/5 cohort and dialysis cohort were lower than in controls (2405 interquartile interval 1287-4524 and 1650 698-3024 versus 3186 1896-4911 BAU/mL, P = 0.06 and P < 0.001, respectively). Dialysis patients and especially kidney transplant recipients experienced less systemic vaccination related adverse events. No specific safety issues were noted.
The immune response following vaccination in patients with CKD G4/5 and on dialysis is almost comparable to controls. In contrast, kidney transplant recipients have a poor response. In this latter, patient group development of alternative vaccination strategies are warranted.
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are characterized by inflammation of small-to-medium-sized blood vessels and the presence of autoantibodies against ...cytoplasmic proteases sited in neutrophils and monocytes. Increasing evidence indicates a substantial role of monocytes and macrophages in the pathogenesis of AAV. Activated monocytes and macrophages contribute to necroinflammation in peripheral vasculitic lesions as well as to central and peripheral mechanisms of autoimmunity. The intermediate monocyte subset (CD14++CD16+) is increased and monocytes show elevated expression of CD14, Toll-like receptor 2/4, MHCII and integrins, likely reflecting activation and increased monocyte extravasation. Monocytes differentiate locally predominantly into alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, which are known for cell-clearance and phagocytosis, but may ultimately lead to fibrosis. Phagocytotic function of macrophages can be impaired by surface expression of cytoplasmic proteases on apoptotic neutrophils and causes release of inflammatory cytokines and immunogenic contents, presumably resulting in a vicious circle of increased neutrophil, T and B cell activation and consequent ANCA production. Considering their crucial role in initiating necroinflammation as well as fibrogenesis, monocytes and macrophages may represent a logic first-line target for new treatment options in AAV.
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•Monocytes and macrophages contribute to necroinflammation and autoimmunity in AAV.•Monocytes express markers of activation and the CD14++ CD16+ subset is increased.•Monocytes differentiate into alternatively activated macrophages (M2), promoting fibrosis.•Targeting activated monocytes and macrophages may form new therapeutic options.
Deceased donor kidneys are preserved in cold hypoxic conditions. Providing oxygen during preservation might improve post-transplant outcomes, particularly for kidneys subjected to greater degrees of ...preservation injury. This study aimed to investigate whether supplemental oxygen during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) could improve the outcome of kidneys donated after circulatory death.
This randomised, double-blind, paired, phase 3 trial was done in 19 European transplant centres. Kidney pairs from donors aged 50 years or older, donated after circulatory death, were eligible if both kidneys were transplanted into two different recipients. One kidney from each donor was randomly assigned using permuted blocks to oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (HMPO2), the other to HMP without oxygenation. Perfusion was maintained from organ retrieval to implantation. The primary outcome was 12-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation in pairs of donated kidneys in which both transplanted kidneys were functioning at the end of follow-up. Safety outcomes were reported for all transplanted kidneys. Intention-to-treat analyses were done. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN32967929, and is now closed.
Between March 15, 2015, and April 11, 2017, 197 kidney pairs were randomised with 106 pairs transplanted into eligible recipients. 23 kidney pairs were excluded from the primary analysis because of kidney failure or patient death. Mean eGFR at 12 months was 50·5 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (SD 19·3) in the HMPO2 group versus 46·7 mL/min per 1·73m2 (17·1) in HMP (mean difference 3·7 mL/min per 1·73m2, 95% CI −1·0 to 8·4; p=0·12). Fewer severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb or more) were reported in the HMPO2 group (46 of 417, 11%, 95% CI 8% to 14%) than in the HMP group (76 of 474, 16%, 13% to 20%; p=0·032). Graft failure was lower with HMPO2 (three 3% of 106) compared with HMP (11 10% of 106; hazard ratio 0·27, 95% CI 0·07 to 0·95; p=0·028).
HMPO2 of kidneys donated after circulatory death is safe and reduces post-transplant complications (grade IIIb or more). The 12-month difference in eGFR between the HMPO2 and HMP groups was not significant when both kidneys from the same donor were still functioning 1-year post-transplant, but potential beneficial effects of HMPO2 were suggested by analysis of secondary outcomes.
European Commission 7th Framework Programme.
ABSTRACT
Background
Employment is important for the quality of life and financial security of patients of working age receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). We aimed to examine self-reported ...work status and general, physical and mental work ability and to determine associations between demographic, disease-related, work-related and macroeconomic factors and employment.
Methods
Europeans from 37 countries, ages 19–65 years, treated with dialysis or kidney transplantation, filled out the web-based or paper-based cross-sectional EDITH kidney patient survey between November 2017 and January 2019. We performed descriptive analyses and multivariable generalized logistic mixed models.
Results
Of the 3544 patients, 36.5% were employed and working 25.8% of dialysis patients, 53.9% of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The mean general work ability was 5.5 out of 10 (dialysis: 4.8, KTRs: 6.5). Non-working patients (all: 4.1, dialysis: 3.9, KTRs: 4.7) scored lower than working patients (all: 7.7, dialysis 7.3, KTRs: 8.0). Working dialysis patients scored lower on physical and mental work ability (7.1 and 8.1) than working KTRs (8.0 and 8.4; P < 0.001). Impaired physical work ability (42.7%) was more prevalent than impaired mental work ability (26.7%). Male sex, age 40–49 years, higher education, home dialysis or kidney transplantation as current treatment, treatment history including kidney transplantation, absence of diabetes mellitus, better general work ability and higher country gross domestic product were positively associated with employment (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Low employment rates and impaired work ability were prevalent among European patients receiving KRT. Demographic, disease-related, work-related and macro-economic factors were associated with employment.
Mechanisms underlying the onset and perpetuation of chronic immune activation in individuals without overt infectious or autoimmune diseases are unclear. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a persistent virus ...that induces a permanent increase of highly differentiated, interferon-γ-secreting effector T cells. We hypothesized that, because of this increase, CMV also induces a systemic inflammatory response. We measured acute phase proteins, cytokines, and chemokines in serum samples from renal transplant recipients who developed a primary CMV infection and healthy CMV serum-positive or -negative individuals. Primary CMV infection induced a clear proinflammatory response that was maintained during latency. This response was characterized by increased levels of acute phase proteins, such as serum amyloid-A and C-reactive protein, and type 1 cytokines, such as interleukin-18, interferon-inducible protein-10, and interferon-γ. This continuous activation of the immune system may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic allograft rejection and potentially contribute to the acceleration of chronic diseases.
The impact of haemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation on quality of life (QoL) is often underestimated due to a lack of comparative studies with other patient groups.
We conducted a ...cross-sectional cohort study in 168 patients including HD patients, kidney transplant recipients (KTR), patients with a haematological malignancy either receiving chemotherapy or in remission and healthy controls. All participants completed the 36-item short form survey of health-related quality of life, the Checklist Individual Strength and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire.
HD patients and haematological patients undergoing chemotherapy were more frequently severely fatigued (53.3% and 50% of cases) compared with KTR (33.3%), haematological patients in remission (23.3%) and healthy controls (12.1%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in anxiety rates. HD patients and haematological patients undergoing chemotherapy were most likely to be depressed (33.3% and 25%), compared with 16.7% of KTR, 20% of haematological patients in remission and 8.6% of healthy controls (P = 0.066). KTR reported the largest positive health change (+27%, P < 0.001), but still had a lower overall QoL than healthy controls, comparable to haematological patients in remission. HD and chemotherapy patients reported the lowest QoL scores.
Fatigue and depression are common in HD patients, resulting in a low QoL, comparable to haematological patients receiving chemotherapy. KTR do better, with scores similar to patients with a haematological malignancy in remission, but still have a lower QoL than healthy controls.