[Perforin and granzyme B expression in liver allograft rejection].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of perforin and granzyme B in rejection response following liver transplantation, and evaluate their roles to be used as predictive markers of rejection.


METHODS
The expression of perforin and granzyme B in liver biopsies obtained from liver allograft recipients was determined by immunohistochemistry. Biopsies were classified into two groups-no evidence of rejection and rejection-according to Histopathologic criteria. The relationship between the perforin/granzume B expression and acute rejection was analyzed.


RESULTS
From 19 patients, thirty-five liver biopsies were obtained after liver transplantation. Among them, nineteen samples were diagnosed as rejection response. The frequencies of perforin and granzyme B expression in rejection group were 100% (19/19) and 94.7% (18/19), respectively. While those in no rejection group were 25.0% (4/16) and 12.5 (2/16), respectively. In most rejected samples, perforin and granzyme B were expressed simultaneously. Only three samples showed perforin expression alone, while no samples demonstrated granzyme B expression alone. There was a close relationship between perforin/granzyme B expression and liver allograft rejection.


CONCLUSIONS
Perforin and granzyme B expression seemed to be related to the development of acute rejection following liver transplantation, and might be served as sensitive and reliable markers in diagnosing acute rejection in early stage.
Ji
Jun
J
Department of Surgery, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second University of Medical Science, Shanghai 200025, China.
Yu
Ying-yan
YY
Chen
Hao
H
Deng
Xia-xing
XX
Shen
Bo-yong
BY
Zhou
Guang-wen
GW
Peng
Cheng-wen
CW
Li
Hong-wei
HW
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053804:Granzymes; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000201:enzymology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases