title: Increased beta2-microglobulin-free HLA class I heavy chain serum levels in the course of immune responses to viral antigens and to mismatched HLA antigens.
abstract: Besides being present in serum in association with beta2-mu, HLA class I heavy chains are also present in serum as beta2-micro-free moieties. The increase in serum levels of beta2-micro-associated HLA class I heavy chains in conditions associated with an activation of the immune system have prompted us to measure the serum levels of beta2-mu-free HLA class I heavy chains in the course of immune responses to viral antigens and to mismatched histocompatibility antigens. The serum level of beta2-mu-free HLA class I heavy chains, like that of beta2-mu-associated HLA class I heavy chains was significantly increased in patients affected by advanced HIV-1 infection or by chronic hepatitis C (CHC). In the latter group of patients an association was found between a reduction in the beta2-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain serum level and response to therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Moreover, the beta2-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain serum level was increased more than that of beta2-mu-associated HLA class I heavy chains during episodes of liver ischemia following liver transplantation and in the course of acute graft rejection and of acute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). These results suggest that the serum levels of beta2-mu-free and beta2-mu-associated HLA class I heavy chains are independently regulated. Furthermore, beta2-mu-free HLA class I heavy chain serum level may be a useful marker to monitor response to therapy in CHC patients and the clinical course of liver and bone marrow grafts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puppo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brenci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Contini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bignardi
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Hamby
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filaci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scudeletti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picciotto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Indiveri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015488:HIV Antigens; D006680:HLA Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin