Short-term kinetics of torque teno virus viraemia after induction immunosuppression confirm T lymphocytes as the main replication-competent cells

Abstract

Torque teno virus (TTV) is increasingly considered a universal marker of global immune function. The virus is supposed to replicate in lymphocytes, but poor information is available about fluctuations of viraemia after administration of anti-lymphocyte agents. We studied TTV kinetics in a cohort of 70 kidney±pancreas recipients receiving one of two different anti-T-cell induction immunosuppressants. During the first 30 days after anti-T-cell antibody administration, we report kinetics of TTV viraemia compatible with replication in T lymphocytes, and highly dependent on the potency of the anti-T-cell drug administered.

Bidirectional transfer of Anelloviridae lineages between graft and host during lung transplantation

“…Consistent with our previous work, 19 Anelloviridae genome copies in BAL from donor lungs prior to transplantation were higher than those in healthy adults (P = 0.006; Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, In contrast to BAL levels, Anelloviridae genome copy numbers in serum of LTxRs immediately after organ reperfusion were lower than levels in healthy adults (P = .01; Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, Table S5), consistent with a previous report. 38 of ACR compared to all non-ACR sera (average 10 5.5 copies/mL vs average of 10 6.9 copies/mL; P = .039; Student 2-tailed t test), consistent with previous reports. 41 In addition, we also found lower Anelloviridae levels in BAL during the 30 days preceding a diagnosis of ACR (average 10 4.8 copies/mL vs average of 10 5.8 copies/mL; P = .014; Student 2-tailed t test).…”

The Perioperative Lung Transplant Virome: Torque Teno Viruses Are Elevated in Donor Lungs and Show Divergent Dynamics in Primary Graft Dysfunction

“…Brain death is associated with profound hemodynamic, neurohumoral and inflammatory responses, which result in proinflammatory cytokine elevations and leukocyte infiltration of the lung (55, 56). Although its host cell tropism is poorly understood, TTV is reported to reside in mononuclear immune cells (57–61), and to increase in inflammatory states (62, 63). Thus, local inflammation and leukocyte recruitment to the lung following brain death might result in enhanced TTV replication.…”

“…These levels immediately post-transplant contrast with studies showing elevated blood TTV levels of chronic transplant recipients who are immunosuppressed (37–39). However, a recent report described decreased TTV levels at day 7 in kidney/pancreas transplant recipients receiving anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), which was ascribed to lymphocytolytic properties of ATG on mononuclear cells believed to support TTV replication (61). Only slight decreases were reported at day 7 in those receiving Basiliximab, which is not lymphocytolytic, but prevents T cell proliferation.…”

Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Torque Teno Virus in Salivary and Tumor Biopsy Samples from Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients

“…Alternatively, TTV may preferentially target precancerosus or inflammatory lesions such as lichen planus and it may replicate in such lesions. One may speculate that, in addition to epithelial cells, T cells could also be potential sites of TTV replication [34]. Further research may elucidate the role of TTV in stepwise carcinogenesis.…”