Horizons in TransplantationLiver transplantationCorrelation Between Immunosuppressive Therapy and CD4+ T-Cell Intracellular Adenosine Triphosphate Levels in Liver Transplant Recipients

•CD4+ T cell iATP level was detected using the Cylex Immuknow Assay method, and analyzed retrospectively according to immunosuppressive therapy protocol.•There is a relationship between distribution immunosuppressive therapy protocol and CD4+ T cell iATP level after liver transplantation.•MMF and Rapa lower the CD4+ T cell iATP level significantly.

ObjectiveThe aim of this work was to analyze the correlation between immunosuppressive therapy and CD4+ T-cell intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) levels after liver transplantation and to describe the distribution characteristics of iATP in CD4+ T cells among liver transplant recipients.MethodsWe studied 172 patients who were followed regularly after liver transplantation with long-term stable conditions from July 2010 to October 2012. CD4+ T-cell iATP levels were detected with the use of the Cylex Immuknow Assay method and analyzed retrospectively according to immunosuppressive therapy protocol.ResultsThere was a significant difference in CD4+ T-cell iATP level among the recipients receiving different immunosuppressive therapy protocols after liver transplantation. CD4+ T-cell iATP level in the FK506 group and FK506 + prednisone (Pred) groups was higher than in the FK506 + mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), FK506 + MMF + Pred, and rapamycin (Rapa) groups. CD4+ T-cell iATP level in patients receiving an MMF protocol was lower than in the group without MMF.ConclusionsThere is a relationship between distribution immunosuppressive therapy protocol and CD4+ T-cell iATP level after liver transplantation. MMF and Rapa lower the CD4+ T-cell iATP level significantly.