Anti-tubular basement membrane antibodies and giant cell formation in a model of chronic renal allograft rejection.
BACKGROUND
In the Fisher (F344)-to-Lewis (LEW) kidney transplantation (Tx) model of chronic rejection, antibodies reactive with tubular basement membranes have been found. We investigated whether giant cells, typical for a granulomatous inflammatory reaction, can be found during allograft rejection.


METHODS
F344-to-LEW renal Txs were performed, and kidneys were removed at various time points. Kidneys were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Interferon-gamma levels were measured by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Multinucleated Langhans'-type giant cells were found in F344 allografts at days 21 and 30 and disappeared thereafter. Giant cells were not observed in LEW allografts. The giant cells were ED1, OX-43, and major histocompatibility complex class II positive. All grafts showed transient expression of interferon-gamma, peaking at days 7 to 14 post-Tx.


CONCLUSIONS
Granulomatous inflammation with giant cell formation occurs in the F344-to-LEW model and may represent an alloimmune response against tissue-specific antigens.
Joosten
Simone A
SA
Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. s.a.joosten@lumc.nl
Benediktsson
Hallgrimur
H
Borrias
Maria C
MC
van Ham
Vanessa
V
van Dixhoorn
Mieneke G A
MG
van Kooten
Cees
C
Paul
Leendert C
LC
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D007518:Isoantibodies; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D004247:DNA