Chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules in renal transplant recipients with cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with leucocyte infiltration i n various organs, which supports a role for chemokines and adhesion molecul es in the pathogenesis of CMV infection. In a prospectively conducted study of renal transplant recipients, 10 patients with CMV disease, five patient s with asymptomatic CMV infection and 10 patients who did not have any CMV infection were included. During CMV infection, and in particular during CMV disease, plasma levels of the chemokines IL-8, macrophage inflammatory pro tein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and t he soluble adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), i ntercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and l-selectin increased and were positively correlated with the degree of CMV pp65 antigenaemia. Furthermor e, a decrease in plasma levels of these chemokines and adhesion molecules w as observed following ganciclovir therapy in the patients with CMV disease. This could suggest a role for these molecules in the pathogenesis of CMV i nfection.