Electron microscopy of lymphocytes and hepatocytes in orthotopic liver homografts during the late rejection (target cell destruction by lymphocytes in vivo?).
The results of electron microscopical observations made on orthotopic procine liver homografts during the process of delayed rejection show close contacts between the cell membranes of lymphocytes and hepatocytes, the lymphocytes reaching the hepatocytes by incomplete and complete migration through the partially enlarged intracellular and intercellular gaps of the endothelial sinusoid lining. In addition, the lymphocytes are capable of coming into contact with the surfaces of hepatocytes through both intercellular and intracellular endothelial gaps by means of microvilli form and uropodlike cytoplasmic projections. The hepatocytes exhibit partly direct, partly indirect signs of a localized change of the cell membrane which is associated with abnormal permeability, partial peripheral lysis and colliquation necroses. Such alterations were frequently found to be located in the immediate neighborhood of both lymphocytes and lymphoid cells. The interpretation of these electron microscopical findings as being an expression of in vivo target cell destruction by lymphocytes is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006084:Graft Rejection; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous