The activation state of human intrahepatic lymphocytes.
The immune tolerance induced by the liver as an allograft is difficult to reconcile with the evidence that the liver selectively accumulates activated T cells from the circulation. However, much of this information is based on murine liver lymphocytes that were isolated using enzymatic digestion. In the present study we made use of a novel resource, the lymphocytes isolated during the perfusion of living donor liver lobe prior to transplantation. These healthy human liver lymphocytes displayed surface markers indicating a high degree of activation of natural killer cells, CD56(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells. These properties were independent of enzymatic treatment or the details of cell isolation. We conclude that the healthy human liver is a site of intense immunological activity.
Tu
Z
Z
The Division of Solid Organ Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Bozorgzadeh
A
A
Crispe
I N
IN
Orloff
M S
MS
D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*
D019002:CD56 Antigen