Transplantation of tissue-resident lymphocytes — ASN Events
  1. Schedule
  2. Poster Session Three
  3. Transplantation of tissue-resident lymphocytes

Transplantation of tissue-resident lymphocytes (#352)

Amy Prosser 1 2 , Wen Hua Huang 3 , Liu Liu 1 , Irma Larma 4 , Gary Jeffrey 1 , Slivana Gaudieri 2 , Axel Kallies 5 , Michaela Lucas 6
  1. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  2. School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  3. School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  4. Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
  5. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia

Introduction: The importance of donor lymphocytes to the induction of tolerance to solid organ allografts was identified in the 1990s, however specific cell subsets and their individual roles have not been investigated. Recently described tissue-resident (TR) lymphocytes, including tissue-resident memory T (Trm), innate lymphoid cells (ILC), γδ T, iNKT and MAIT cells are likely to be transferred with the graft and impact the outcome of transplantation.

Methods: Orthotopic liver transplants were performed in either congenic or MHC mismatched mice. The graft liver and peripheral organs were analysed for donor- and recipient-derived tissue-resident lymphocytes by flow cytometry at 1 and 7 days post-surgery.

Results: Tissue-resident donor-derived lymphocytes were successfully transplanted and detectable 7 days after transplantation, although MHC mismatch of donor and recipient mice led to depletion of most donor cells. Donor cells were detected in peripheral organs after 7 days in congenic mice only. Recipient lymphocytes rapidly infiltrate the graft in both congenic and mismatched transplants and gain a tissue-resident phenoytpe.

Conclusions: Tissue-resident cells within the liver are readily transferrable and are maintained within the new host when no MHC mismatch is present. Differential depletion of donor-derived cells in a mismatch context may give some insight into the mechanisms of rejection of solid organs. Similarly, infiltration and tissue-residency of recipient cells may influence transplant outcome.

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