Stem cell source-dependent reconstitution of FOXP3+ T cells after pediatric SCT and the association with allo-reactive disease

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2013 Apr;48(4):502-7. doi: 10.1038/bmt.2012.174. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

In adult patients, regulatory CD4+FOXP3+ T cells are suggested to have a role in the control of allo-reactive disease after hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). We compared CD4+FOXP3+ T-cell reconstitution after unrelated cord blood (UCB), matched unrelated donor (MUD) and matched sibling donor (MSD) HSCT in children, starting as early as 1 week after transplantation, and analyzed the association with allo-reactive disease. A total of 30 children were included who underwent a myeloablative-conditioning regimen followed by UCB (12/30), MUD (7/30) or MSD (11/30) HSCT. These three patient groups showed significant differences in FOXP3+ T-cell reconstitution pattern. Early after UCB and MSD, but not after MUD, HSCT a peak in FOXP3+ T cells was observed. There were significant differences in activation status and Ki67 expression of the FOXP3+ T cells after UCB and MSD, respectively. FOXP3+ T-cell proportions early after HSCT and in the graft were inversely correlated with allo-reactivity. This study indicates that FOXP3 reconstitution after HSCT is dependent on the type of graft used. Furthermore, in children evaluation of FOXP3+ T-cell numbers early after HSCT and in the graft may be used to judge the risk of developing allo-reactivity after HSCT.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Ki-67 Antigen / immunology
  • Male
  • Siblings*
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Unrelated Donors*

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Ki-67 Antigen