Immune response following fresh arterial homograft replacement for aortoiliac graft infection.
BACKGROUND
this prospective study defines the immune response to fresh arterial homograft replacement for graft infection.


METHODS
ten patients who underwent ABO-compatible homograft transplantation were studied for anti-HLA antibody production, and CD3-CD4-CD8-positive lymphocytes subset. Immunological studies were performed preoperatively, and at early (1, 3, 7 days) and late (1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months) follow-up. All patients received immunosuppressive treatment with cyclosporine (1-3 mg/kg/day). Abdominal CT scans were performed postoperatively at the 1, 6, 12, 18, 24 months follow-up.


RESULTS
preoperatively, antibodies could not be detected. Postoperatively, as from 1st month post-transplant, a progressive increase in % PRA was observed in all patients, up to the 12th month of follow-up. Subsequently, at 18 and 36 months, a progressive decrease in % PRA was detected. Data showed that the recipient antibodies were directed against donor-specific antigens. During the immediate postoperative period (1, 3, 7 days) CD3- and CD4-positive T lymphocytes slightly increased, whereas CD8 simultaneously decreased. Later, CD3 and CD4 progressively decreased and CD8 increased. Clinically, all patients were cured of infection at late follow-up. CT scans showed thickening of the aortic wall (range: 2.5-4.5 mm), with no signs of aneurysmal degeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
fresh arterial homografts are immunogenic. Implanted homografts induce a strong anti-HLA antibody response, similar to chronic rejection, in spite of immunosuppressive treatment.
Mirelli
M
M
Department of Vascular Surgery, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Stella
A
A
Faggioli
G L
GL
Scolari
M P
MP
Iannelli
S
S
Freyrie
A
A
Buscaroli
A
A
De Santis
L
L
Resta
F
F
Bonomini
V
V
D'Addato
M
M
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology; D000368:Aged; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001158:Arteries / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D014181:Transplantation Immunology / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D017252:CD3 Complex; D006680:HLA Antigens