PBMC were isolated from whole blood of pre-LTx (n=44) and post-LTx patients (n=39), and HC donors (n=12).
(A) The absolute number of PBMC/mL was calculated using trypan blue staining and manual cell count. Values were similar for all groups. Dotted lines represent the normal range of healthy adult subjects.72
(B-F) Flow cytometry was used to assess the concentration (cells/ml of whole blood) of (B) lymphocytes, (C), CD3+ and CD19+ lymphocytes, (D) CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Pre- and post-LTx patients demonstrated significant lymphopenia, decreased CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in comparison to HC. Differences in (E) CD25highFoxp3+ Treg frequency were observed. (F) The concentration (cells/ml of whole blood) of CD25high Foxp3+ Treg within CD3+CD4+ T cells in pre- and post-LTx patients was decreased in comparison to HC.
Data show the median +/− 95% CI. P-values were calculated using unpaired t-test with Welch’s correction. Significant p-values are highlighted in bold. LTx: liver transplant; HC: healthy controls; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Treg: regulatory T cell.