Reduced microglia activity in patients with long-term immunosuppressive therapy after liver transplantation.
Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging
; 49(1): 234-245, 2021 12.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33978829
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) can cause long-term impairment of brain function. Possible pathomechanisms include alterations of the cerebral immune system. This study used positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 18F-GE-180 to evaluate microglial activation in liver-transplanted patients under different regimens of immunosuppression.METHODS:
PET was performed in 22 liver-transplanted patients (3 CNI free, 9 with low-dose CNI, 10 with standard-dose CNI immunosuppression) and 9 healthy controls. The total distribution volume (VT) estimated in 12 volumes-of-interest was analyzed regarding TSPO genotype, CNI therapy, and cognitive performance.RESULTS:
In controls, VT was about 80% higher in high affinity binders (n = 5) compared to mixed affinity binders (n = 3). Mean VT corrected for TSPO genotype was significantly lower in patients compared to controls, especially in patients in whom CNI dose had been reduced because of nephrotoxic side effect.CONCLUSION:
Our results provide evidence of chronic suppression of microglial activity in liver-transplanted patients under CNI therapy especially in patients with high sensitivity to CNI toxicity.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transplante de Fígado
/
Microglia
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article