Identification of natural killer (NK) cells in lesions of human cutaneous graft-versus-host disease: expression of a novel NK-associated surface antigen (Kp43) in mononuclear infiltrates.
We performed an immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies from 13 allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients, undergoing either acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD, n = 8) or chronic GVHD (cGVHD, n = 5). A panel of different monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) was employed including anti-CD2, -CD3, -CD4, -CD8, -CD11b, -CD16, -CD56, and -CD57, as well as a recently described reagent (HP-3B1) specific for a novel natural killer (NK)-associated cell-surface antigen (Kp43). Our data indicate that in aGVHD lesions the proportions of CD2+ cells often exceeded those detected with anti-CD3 MoAb. Double labeling confirmed the presence of CD2+ CD3- lymphocytes and suggested the coexpression in some cells of CD2 and CD11b. When MoAb specific for non-lineage-restricted NK-associated markers were employed, anti-CD56 and -CD57 occasionally stained variable numbers of lymphocytes (means = 14.6% of mononuclear cells in 0.05 mm2, range less than 1-48% and means = 10.3%, range 2-25%, respectively), whereas no CD16+ lymphocytes were observed. In contrast, most samples consistently displayed substantial proportions of Kp43+ cells (means = 32.8%, range 12-63%), which appeared CD3- and were mainly located at the dermoepidermal junction. On the other hand, sections from most (four of five) cGVHD lichenoid lesions analyzed displayed lower proportions of Kp43+ and CD56+ cells. Our data point out the interest of the anti-Kp43 MoAb to identify NK cells in aGVHD lesions, suggesting their pathogenetic participation.
Department of Pathology, Hospital de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
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A
Acevedo
J
J
Aramburu
J
J
López
J
J
Fernández-Herrera
J M
JM
Fernández-Rañada
M
M
López-Botet
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic