Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease: an in situ hybridization analysis of the infiltrating donor-derived cells in the cutaneous lesion.
BACKGROUND
Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur after a blood transfusion.


OBJECTIVE
In order to elucidate the pathomechanisms responsible for transfusion-associated GVHD, infiltrating donor-derived cells in a cutaneous lesion were analyzed.


METHODS
A skin sample obtained from a 69-year-old woman who developed fatal GVHD after blood transfusions from male donors was studied by performing in situ hybridization (ISH) with a Y-chromosome-specific probe.


RESULTS
The cell infiltrates comprised mainly CD3+ T lymphocytes. Immunohistochemistry and ISH in combination demonstrated that 99% (182/184) of the Y-body-positive cells were CD3+. Y bodies were observed in 80% of the CD8+ cells in the epidermis and dermoepidermal junction and in 77 and 45% of the CD8+ and CD4+ cells, respectively, in the dermis.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that both CD4+ and CD8+ cells of donor origin were involved in the development of cutaneous GVHD.
Tanei
R
R
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Ohta
Y
Y
Ishihara
S
S
Katsuoka
K
K
Yokono
H
H
Motoori
T
T
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015342:DNA Probes; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000235:genetics
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015342:DNA Probes