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Characterization of Varicella-Zoster (VZV) Specific T Cell Response in Healthy Subjects and Transplanted Patients by Using Enzyme Linked Immunospot (ELISpot) Assays

Authors :
Irene Cassaniti
Alessandro Ferrari
Giuditta Comolli
Antonella Sarasini
Marilena Gregorini
Teresa Rampino
Daniele Lilleri
Fausto Baldanti
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 9, Iss 8, p 875 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Solid organ transplant recipients, due to the administration of post-transplant immunosuppressive therapies, are at greater risk of viral reactivation episodes, mainly from herpes viruses, including varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The aim of this pilot study was to develop functional immunological assays (VZV-ELISpot) for the quantification and characterization of the VZV-specific effector-memory and central-memory responses in healthy subjects and transplanted patients. Glycoprotein gE and immediate-early 63 (IE-63) were used as antigens for in vitro stimulation. VZV-seropositive healthy subjects showed higher responses in respect to seronegative subjects. Even if differences were observed between VZV-seropositive healthy subjects and transplanted subjects at pre-transplant, the VZV-specific T-cell response was reduced at 60 days after transplant, mainly for the high level of immunosuppression. Phenotypical characterization revealed that response against VZV was mainly mediated by CD4 T cells. The results obtained in this study might be useful for the definition of personalized follow-up of the transplanted patients, providing useful information on the status of the patient potentially at risk of viral reactivation or other opportunistic infections.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2076393X
Volume :
9
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Vaccines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.13f872337dc5469da5fc1f3262ea6974
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9080875