title: Analysis of sequential changes in major histocompatibility complex expression in human liver grafts after transplantation.
abstract: The expression of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in human liver grafts was analyzed in 88 liver biopsies from 22 patients. For the staining of MHC antigens, a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against monomorphic determinants of class I and class II molecules and an indirect immunoperoxidase method were used. In the reference biopsies, class I antigens were expressed on all cell types but only weakly on hepatocytes; class II was only expressed on Kupffer cells, interstitial cells, and endothelia. After transplantation, this pattern of MHC expression was markedly modified. Increased class I expression on hepatocytes and HLA-DR expression on bile ducts occurred in the absence of clinical rejection. During acute rejection, class I was strongly expressed and HLA-DR weakly expressed on hepatocytes; on bile ducts, HLA-DR expression was further increased. Cytomegalovirus hepatitis caused class I and HLA-DR induction on hepatocytes; strong induction of HLA-DR on bile ducts was also found in cholangitis. These findings have a number of implications for the pathophysiology of rejection of the transplanted liver.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Abdominal- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steinhoff
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wonigeit
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pichlmayr
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006680:HLA 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; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D006682:HLA-DP Antigens; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II