A Potential Role for NKG2C γδ T Cells as a Cellular Therapy in Combating Post-Lung Transplant Cytomegalovirus Infection

Abstract

PURPOSE: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most clinically significant pathogen following lung transplantation (LTx). While currently used anti-viral treatments are efficacious, their use is associated with toxicity and antiviral resistance. Given early promising results, immunotherapy is an attractive option to complement current antiviral therapies. We assessed the phenotype of circulating T cells following LTx with the aim of identifying novel cell subsets that may be candidate population as anti-viral immunotherapy. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from lung transplant patients from a single centre at pre-transplant, 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12- and 18-months post-LT..