donor CD4+ lymphocytes

Donor CD4+ lymphocytes are a subset of T cells, specifically T helper cells, that are characterized by the expression of the CD4 receptor on their surface. These cells play a central role in immune system regulation, including aiding B cells in antibody production, activating other immune cell types, and mediating graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects after allogeneic stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. Infusion of donor CD4+ lymphocytes (also termed CD4+ donor lymphocyte infusion, or CD4+ DLI) is investigated as an adoptive cell therapy, particularly as a means to enhance anti-tumor immunity (GVL) or reconstitute immunity post-transplant, with reduced incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) compared to unselected lymphocyte infusions. Mechanistically, these infusions can elicit expansion and activation of both CD4+ T cells and recipient-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, contributing to anti-malignancy responses. However, clinical data suggests that donor CD4+ DLI alone may not be sufficient to prevent relapse in hematologic malignancy and may expand regulatory T cells, potentially dampening anti-tumor immunity[2][4][6].

Other names

donor CD4+ T lymphocytesdonor helper T cellsdonor CD4-positive lymphocytes