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Epstein–Barr virus T‐cell immunity despite rituximab
Author(s) -
Nehring Angela K.,
Dua Ujjwal,
Mollee Peter,
Gill Devinder,
Grimmett Karen,
Khanna Rajiv,
Moss Denis,
Gandhi Maher K.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06482.x
Subject(s) - rituximab , immunosuppression , immunology , immunity , medicine , lymphoproliferative disorders , epstein–barr virus , cd8 , transplantation , cellular immunity , b cell , antibody , lymphoma , virology , virus , immune system
Summary Immunosuppression following solid organ transplantation results in impaired T‐cell immunity and risk of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). The B‐cell targeting antibody rituximab has efficacy in PTLD. As B cells are the principle reservoir for EBV, we investigated the effect of rituximab on the persistence of EBV‐specific CD8 + T‐cell immunity. To avoid the confounding factor of concurrent immunosuppression to prevent transplant rejection, immunity was analysed in non‐transplanted lymphoma patients (i.e. a non‐PTLD setting). Cytomegalovirus‐specific T‐cell immunity was assessed as an internal control. Our data demonstrated that circulating B cells were not critical for maintaining EBV‐specific T‐cell immunity.