Regulation of KLRG1 Gene Expression by T-bet Correlates with Human Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD8(+) T Cells Effector Function

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains an important infectious complication that has a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients (LTRs). We have shown that CMV primary infection, defined by de novo viremia, frequently occurs in mismatched, high-risk donor+/recipient- (D+R-) LTRs who either establish viral control (controllers) or demonstrate relapsing viremia (relapsers). Among a cohort of D+R- LTRs, we previously demonstrated that increased T-bet induction in the CD8+ T cell pool correlated with effector function and durable viral control.