Immune competent cells in non-irradiated autologous jejunal grafts used for reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx.
Autologous jejunal grafts used for primary reconstruction in cases of extensive soft tissue defects following tumor resection in the upper aerodigestive tract were investigated by immunohistochemistry (APAAP technique). Biopsies from eight patients were taken intra-operatively, at the time of transplantation and 2, 4, and 6 months post-operatively. A panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against surface antigens of the major subpopulations of the immune system was used. In all of the patients, a remarkable increase of all antigens investigated was detected 2 months post-operatively, which remained unchanged in the following biopsies (4 and 6 months postoperatively). Significantly higher numbers of CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ (P<0.05) leukocytes were detectable. This increase was due to both subsets of T and B cells, but only for CD19+ B cells was the increase significant. In addition, NK cells (CD16+ lymphocytic cells, P<0.01) and mature macrophages (25F9+ cells, P<0.01) increased. The first post-operative biopsy showed a significantly higher expression of activation-associated antigens (ICAM-1, VCAM, and HLA-DR) on monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells. Our findings indicate that autologous jejunal grafts facilitate immunological function in the new microenvironment.
Millesi
W
W
Clinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Vienna, Austria.
Formanek
M
M
Moser
D
D
Kornfehl
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D007583:Jejunum / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1