Background
T‐cell immunity is affected in end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, whether this happens at pre‐ or post‐dialysis stage and what is the impact of different renal replacement methods, remains unclear. We investigated the alterations of T‐cell subtypes in patients at pre‐dialysis ESRD and their further changes during dialysis.
Methods
CD4+, CD8+, CD4 + CD28null and CD8 + CD28null T‐cells were analysed in 40 ESRD patients at two different time points, (a) the day started on dialysis (ESRD‐T0) and (b) 6 months later (ESRD‐T6), while being on haemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Twenty‐five age matched healthy volunteers served as controls.
Results
CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cells were significantly reduced in ESRD‐T0 patients compared to controls, 604 (105‐3551) vs 943 (584‐1867)μ/L, P = .001, and 352 (103‐1561) vs 422.4 (263‐1453)μ/L, P = .05, respectively. However, proportions of CD4 + CD28null and CD8 + CD28null cells were significantly increased, 6.4 (0.3‐30)% vs 2.7 (0.1‐7.8)%, P = .04 and 58.2 (12.8‐85.4)% vs 39 (7.8‐57.1)%, P = .01, respectively. Proportion of CD4 + CD28null cells showed significant correlation with serum CRP (r = .4, P = .04) and albumin levels (r = −.5, P = .007) in ERSD patients. ESRD‐T0 patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) had increased CD4 + CD28null and CD8 + CD28null proportions, 8.6 (1‐30)% vs 2.1 (0.1‐19.8)%, P = .04 and 62.5 (12.8‐85.4)% vs 45.5 (5.7‐73.7)%, P = .02, respectively, compared to those without.
Six months later, both CD4 + CD28null and CD8 + CD28null T‐cells were increased in HD compared to CAPD patients, by +110.11 (−27.1 to 311.4)% vs −28.1 (−100 to 30)%, P = .003 and +55.23 (−29.06 to 197.93)% vs −8.34 (−54.99 to 66.72)%, P = .05, respectively.
Conclusions
CD4 + CD28null and CD8 + CD28null T‐cells are increased at pre‐dialysis ESRD, and correlate with chronic inflammatory markers and the presence of CVD. Dialysis methods seem to have different impact on these subpopulations.