An unusual pattern of B-cell immunological reconstitution after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a possible correlation with CMV reactivation?

Pediatr Transplant. 2009 Dec;13(8):1050-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2008.01107.x. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Abstract

IR after HSCT is a slow process that involves several components of the immune response, and, in allogeneic setting, it can be delayed by GvHD and immuno-suppressive therapy. Our study on IR post-HSCT included a child with FA who underwent MUD transplantation. To evaluate B, T and NK cell reconstitution and to investigate the differentiation of B lymphocyte repertoire, this patient was carefully monitored at various time points by IgHCDR3 (third complementarity determining region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain) fingerprinting and by FACS analysis. IgHCDR3 fingerprinting showed a strong oligoclonality of IgM and IgG profiles from day +60 to +180 post-transplant. CMV reactivation was present at the same time points and overlapped the clonal pattern shown in IgHCDR3 fingerprinting. Immunophenotype analysis showed early repopulation of T and NK cells following HSCT, whereas B cells increased first at one yr post-transplant. The overlapping of virus reactivation and B-cell clonal expansion seems to suggest that B lymphocytes may be involved in the CMV immunological response, at least in the early time points after HSCT when the immune repertoire is still reconstituting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Child
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Fanconi Anemia / immunology
  • Fanconi Anemia / surgery*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Male
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Transplantation Conditioning / methods
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology