title: Changes in the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens in liver allograft rejection.
abstract: The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens was studied in human liver grafts by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies to HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ antigens. Staining was carried out on frozen sections from 13 normal livers, used as controls, and 85 post-transplant specimens in six histological categories: acute rejection (n = 25); chronic rejection (n = 21); massive haemorrhagic necrosis (n = 2); resolving acute rejection (n = 10); non-rejection complications--pure cholestasis, ischaemia, biliary obstruction (n = 23); and stable graft function greater than 1 year post-transplantation (n = 4). Staining was graded semi-quantitatively on a scale of 0-3+ in bile ducts, hepatocytes, and vascular endothelium. Expression of class II antigens was increased in bile ducts, hepatocytes, and vascular endothelium in all of the post-transplant groups compared with controls. The degree of expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DP in bile ducts and vascular endothelium was significantly greater in cases of rejection than in the non-rejection groups. These observations suggest that increased class II antigen expression may be important in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated bile duct and endothelial damage in liver allografts. Immunohistochemical staining for class II antigens in post-transplant biopsies may also be useful as an adjunct to conventional histological diagnosis.
authors: Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Birmingham, U.K.
authors: S G
authors: SG
authors: Hubscher
authors: D H
authors: DH
authors: Adams
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Elias
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000276:immunology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II