%A DeWolfe,David %A Aid,Malika %A McGann,Kevin %A Ghofrani,Joshua %A Geiger,Emma %A Helzer,Catherine %A Malik,Shaily %A Kleiboeker,Steve %A Jost,Stephanie %A Tan,Chen Sabrina %D 2019 %J Frontiers in Immunology %C %F %G English %K Immune senescence,NK cells,T cells,Pre kidney transplant,Immune risk profile %Q %R 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01890 %W %L %M %P %7 %8 2019-August-23 %9 Original Research %# %! Immune senescence in kidney transplant candidates %* %< %T NK Cells Contribute to the Immune Risk Profile in Kidney Transplant Candidates %U https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.01890 %V 10 %0 JOURNAL ARTICLE %@ 1664-3224 %X Background: A previously proposed immune risk profile (IRP), based on T cell phenotype and CMV serotype, is associated with mortality in the elderly and increased infections post-kidney transplant. To evaluate if NK cells contribute to the IRP and if the IRP can be predicted by a clinical T cell functional assays, we conducted a cross sectional study in renal transplant candidates to determine the incidence of IRP and its association with specific NK cell characteristics and ImmuKnow® value.Material and Methods: Sixty five subjects were enrolled in 5 cohorts designated by age and dialysis status. We determined T and NK cell phenotypes by flow cytometry and analyzed multiple factors contributing to IRP.Results: We identified 14 IRP+ [CMV seropositivity and CD4/CD8 ratio < 1 or being in the highest quintile of CD8+ senescent (28CD–/CD57+) T cells] individuals equally divided amongst the cohorts. Multivariable linear regression revealed a distinct IRP+ group. Age and dialysis status did not predict immune senescence in kidney transplant candidates. NK cell features alone could discriminate IRP– and IRP+ patients, suggesting that NK cells significantly contribute to the overall immune status in kidney transplant candidates and that a combined T and NK cell phenotyping can provide a more detailed IRP definition. ImmuKnow® value was negatively correlated to age and significantly lower in IRP+ patients and predicts IRP when used alone or in combination with NK cell features.Conclusion: NK cells contribute to overall immune senescence in kidney transplant candidates.