Altered expression of hepatocyte growth factor in cardiac allografts of nonhuman primates.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a critical role in transplant rejection. Herein we addressed whether HGF expression could be used for accurate and early diagnosis of acute and chronic rejection in cardiac transplantation. We used a heterotopic cardiac transplantation model using nonhuman primates (Macaca fuscata, n = 7). The grafts were harvested on days 1, 7, 22, 28, 40, 41, and 95 for histology and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologically, HGF was expressed in the spindle-shaped cells of the acutely rejecting myocardium. The expression of HGF was enhanced in both thickened intima and media of the coronary arteries. Altered HGF expression is a sensitive indicator for acute and chronic cardiac rejection.
Suzuki
J
J
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo. jsuzuki.svm@tmd.ac.jp
Kawauchi
M
M
Ogawa
M
M
Isobe
M
M
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008251:Macaca; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000502:physiology*
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor