Induction of Upregulation and Downregulation of the T-Cell Activation Marker CD98 in Patients Undergoing Contrast-Enhanced CT with Iodinated Non-Ionic Dimeric Contrast Medium

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine prospectively the expression of the multifunctional CD98 protein in peripheral white blood cells in patients receiving iodinated contrast media (CM) for a computed tomography (CT) examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 12 adult patients that received non-ionic dimeric CM (iosimenol or iodixanol), the expression of CD98 was analyzed from samples of peripheral white blood cells obtained prior to, one hour, and 24 hours after CM injection by the use of flow cytometry analysis and the use of the direct immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: Overall, expression of CD98 was significantly downregulated 24 hours after CM injection (51.9%±10.8% vs. 38.8%±16.9%; p < 0.04). Patients that received iosimenol exhibited a more pronounced but not significant decrease of CD98 expression both one hour and 24 hours after CM injection. In an analysis of specific patient responses, CD98 downregulation occurred in eight patients. In two patients, CD98 was upregulated, and in the remaining two patients, expression remained unchanged. No patient acquired an adverse CM reaction. CONCLUSION: This is the first demonstration that CM may be a regulator of CD98 expression. To determine if upregulation is associated with an increased risk for the acquisition of an adverse CM-induced hypersensitivity reaction and if downregulation is associated without a risk for the acquisition of an adverse CM-induced hypersensitivity reaction, further studies with a larger population of patients are required.