FTY720 treatment of kidney transplant patients: A differential effect on B cells, naïve T cells, memory T cells and NK cells

FTY720 alters lymphocyte recirculation and homing by interfering with S1P receptors on lymphocytes, possibly in combination with chemokine receptors, and induces a decrease in PBL counts. In fresh, whole blood samples of 14 kidney transplant patients, we analyzed by flow cytometry the effect of FTY on the number of NK cells, monocytes, naïve (CCR7 +) T cells, memory (CCR5 +) T cells and B cells. Patients treated with 0.5, 2.5 or 5 mg FTY/day showed a strong decrease in T and B cell numbers. NK cells and monocytes were not affected. FTY reduced primarily naïve T cells. From the memory T cells (CCR5 +), predominantly CD8 cells, 40-60% remained in the circulation. The majority of the CCR7 + cells disappeared from the circulation within 3-6 h, while a further reduction was achieved later. The more slowly decrease in naïve CCR7 + T cell numbers was also observed in the group treated with 0.25 mg FTY/day. Elispot assays revealed no IL-4 producing cells and a low frequency of IFN-γ producing cells. We suggest that both CCR7 dependent and independent mechanisms are involved in the depletion of T cells from peripheral blood.

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