T-Cell Activation and Malnutrition Adversely Impact on Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization in Patients on Extracorporeal Maintenance Dialysis Therapy.

BACKGROUND

The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) decreases on account of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

Twenty patients were enrolled in this prospective and randomised study in two parallel arms: conventional haemodialysis versus online haemodiafiltration. EPCs number and T-cell activation were analysed at baseline and monthly during a 4-month period of follow-up.

RESULTS

CD38(bright) and HLA-DR+ expression among CD8 memory T cells were negatively associated with both CD34+ (r = -0.70, p = 0.0006) and CD34+ CD133+ (r = -0.62, p = 0.004) cell numbers. Conversely, a positive correlation was observed between CD34+ and CD34+ CD133+ cells with transferrin (r = 0.75, p = 0.0001 and r = 0.47, p = 0.04, respectively), and CD34+ CD133+ cells with transthyretin (r = 0.51, p = 0.02). No significant association was observed between dialysis modality and the evolution of the EPC number.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic T-cell activation may be a component of the malnutrition inflammation complex syndrome that adversely influences EPC mobilization in CKD patients.

© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.