Phenotypic composition and in vitro functional capacities of unmodified fresh cells infiltrating acutely rejected human kidney allografts.
Cell surface markers of isolated graft-infiltrating cells (GIC) were studied, and functional in vitro assays performed in 8 cases of acute irreversible rejection of human renal allografts. The GIC were mostly activated T cells (OKT11+, OKT3+, Ia+), with predominance of the cytotoxic/suppressor T cell phenotype (OKT8+). A small proportion of B cells and monocytes/macrophages were also present among these GIC. The GIC were able to proliferate with lectin of allogeneic stimulation and were strongly cytotoxic toward specific donor target cells. Within the T cell subset, OKT8+ cells displayed most of the specific cytotoxicity. Despite allograft morphology typical of cellular rejection, anti-HLA complement-dependent antibodies and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity were found in the eluted material from rejecting kidneys. The results of our phenotypic and functional testing of unmodified GIC (no enzyme treatment, no additional culture with or without interleukin 2), show that T cells, especially OKT8+ cells, are of paramount importance in the mechanism of this type of acute irreversible rejection of human renal allografts (i.e., to the point of allograft rupture), but other potential effector mechanisms are also present in situ.
Charpentier
B M
BM
Bach
M A
MA
Lang
P
P
Martin
B
B
Fries
D
D
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D037102:Lectins