HLA class-I-soluble antigen serum levels in liver transplantation. A predictor marker of acute rejection.
The serum levels of sHLA-I have been determined in 16 patients following liver transplantation. sHLA-I levels did not show remarkable variations in six patients without evidence of transplant-related complications. sHLA-I levels strongly increased in 10 patients undergoing acute rejection episodes. In these patients, an average 20% daily increase of sHLA-I levels was detected on the 6 days preceding and on the 2 days following the rejection episode. A fast decrease of sHLA-I levels was observed in seven patients following treatment of acute rejection with anti-CD3 mAb. The serum level of sHLA-I antigens positively correlated with ALT serum level and inversely correlated with PT. The determination of sHLA-I in serum may therefore be proposed as a useful marker in the monitoring of patients following liver transplantation. The increase of sHLA-I antigens may predict the onset of acute rejection whereas their decrease may be related to a good response of acute rejection to immunosuppressive treatment.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
F
F
Puppo
R
R
Pellicci
S
S
Brenci
A
A
Nocera
N
N
Morelli
G
G
Dardano
M
M
Bertocchi
A
A
Antonucci
M
M
Ghio
M
M
Scudeletti
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006085:Graft Survival; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015166:Monitoring, Immunologic; D012995:Solubility
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I