1. Abstract 11030: Decreased CD34+Cell Count is Associated With Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy in Heart Transplant Recipients
- Author
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Poglajen, Gregor, Poljancic, Laura, Zbacnik, Rok, Frljak, Sabina, Zemljic, Gregor, Cerar, Andraz, or, Nea, Okrajek, Renata, Šebetjen, Miran, and Vrtovec, Bojan
- Abstract
Introduction:The underlying mechanisms of coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) after heart transplantation remain incompletely understood.Hypothesis:As CD34+cells represent one of the key determinants of coronary vascular homeostasis we investigated the potential association between CAV and CD34+cell count in heart transplant recipients.Methods:In a single-center prospective pilot cohort study we included 59 adult heart transplant recipients without history of congenital heart disease, multi-organ transplantation or oncologic therapy. All patients underwent coronary CT angiography and the presence of CAV was defined in accordance with the ISHT criteria. At the time of CT angiography, we collected blood samples and measured CD34+cell count using Beckman-Coulter Navios EX flow cytometry with standard antibodies according to ISAGE protocol as well as biomarkers of angiogenesis using Luminex assay kit.Results:CAV was present in 15 patients (25%; Group A) and absent in 42 patients (75%; Group B). The two groups did not differ in age (62±11 years in Group A vs. 60±11 years in Group B, P=0.56), gender (male: 100% vs. 80% in Group B, P=0.07), heart failure etiology (ischemic: 53% vs. 43%, P=0.50), presence of hypertension (60% vs. 63%, P=0.80), diabetes (33% vs. 25%, P=0.54) or renal insufficiency (53% vs. 43%, P=0.50). Also, donor age (44±14 years in Group A vs. 43±12 years in Group B, P=0.66), allograft ischemic time (202±72 min vs. 190±68 min, P=0.57), tacrolimus trough levels (8.8±3.8 μg/L vs. 7.4±1.9 μg/L, P=0.14), MMF dose (2067±442 mg vs. 2178±606 mg; P=0.52) and statin therapy (86% vs. 75%; P=0.36) were comparable. While total leukocyte count was similar in both groups (7.7±2.1x109/L in Group A vs. 6.8±2.2x109/L in Group B, P=0.60), we found significantly lower CD34+cell count in Group A compared to Group B (1.33±0.45x106/L vs. 2.23±1.45x106/L, P=0.02). Conversely, VEGF serum levels were significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (0.09±0.06 ng/L vs. 0.14±0.09 ng/L; P=0.03).Conclusions:Decreased CD34+cell count and increased VEGF serum levels appear to be associated with CAV in heart transplant recipients. Further studies are warranted to investigate the potential of CD34+cells in prevention and treatment of CAV in this patient cohort.
- Published
- 2022
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