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Immunostaining Patterns of Posttransplant Liver Biopsies Using 2 Anti-C4d Antibodies. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2020; 28:146-153. [PMID: 32044883 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Histopathologic diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection in posttransplant liver biopsies is challenging. The recently proposed diagnostic criteria by the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology require positive C4d immunohistochemical staining to establish the diagnosis. However, the reported C4d staining patterns vary widely in different studies. One potential explanation may be due to different antibody preparations used by different investigators. In this study, posttransplant liver biopsies from 69 patients histopathologically diagnosed with acute cellular rejection, chronic rejection, or recurrent hepatitis C were immunohistochemically stained using 2 polyclonal anti-C4d antibodies. On the basis of the distribution of C4d immunoreactivity, 5 different staining patterns were observed: portal vein and capillary, hepatic artery, portal stroma, central vein, and sinusoids. The frequency, extent, and intensity of positive C4d staining with the 2 antibody preparations differed significantly for portal veins/capillaries and central veins, but not for hepatic arteries and portal stroma. Positive sinusoidal staining was seen in only 1 case. There were no significant differences in the frequency, extent, and intensity of positive C4d staining among the acute cellular rejection, chronic rejection, and recurrent hepatitis C groups with the 2 anti-C4d antibodies. These data show that different anti-C4d antibodies can show different staining patterns, which may lead to different interpretation. Caution is thus needed when selecting C4d antibodies for clinical use to aid in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection.
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Impact of Antibodies That React With Liver Tissue and Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Antibodies in Pediatric Idiopathic Posttransplantation Hepatitis. Transplantation 2017; 101:1074-1083. [PMID: 28118175 PMCID: PMC5642348 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background The cause of late graft dysfunction has not been elucidated. Although an antibody-mediated reaction is suspected as a potential mechanism, the target antigens have not been clarified. Methods To clarify the etiology of idiopathic posttransplantation hepatitis (IPTH), we simultaneously examined the presence of antibodies that react with liver tissue (ARLT) by means of indirect immunofluorescence staining, as well as the presence of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (HLA-DSA). A subanalysis of the IPTH group was also performed. Within the IPTH group, the correlation between ARLT titer and clinical data were analyzed. Results In the sera of patients with IPTH (30 patients), ARLT were found at a significantly higher frequency than in patients without IPTH (42 patients; P < 0.001). Moreover, the ARLT titer appeared to be correlated with the severity of hepatitis or hepatic injury. In contrast, the frequency of HLA-DSA was significantly lower in patients with IPTH than in patients without IPTH (P = 0.001). Conclusion Our findings indicate that ARLT, and not HLA-DSA, profoundly influence the etiology of IPTH. The authors show that antibodies that react with liver tissue and not donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies, profoundly influence the etiology of idiopathic posttransplantation hepatitis in children providing a rationale for therapy.
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Couchonnal E, Rivet C, Ducreux S, Dumortier J, Bosch A, Boillot O, Collardeau-Frachon S, Dubois R, Hervieu V, André P, Scoazec JY, Lachaux A, Dubois V, Guillaud O. Deleterious impact of C3d-binding donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies after pediatric liver transplantation. Transpl Immunol 2017; 45:8-14. [PMID: 28782692 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence and clinical impact of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSA) after liver transplantation (LT) have not been extensively studied, especially in pediatric population. METHODS The present cross-sectional study included 100 patients who underwent a first LT in childhood. Anti HLA immunization study was performed at a single time point during routine follow-up using Luminex® single antigen tests with classical anti-IgG conjugate and anti-C3d conjugate. RESULTS The main indication for LT was biliary atresia (52%) and median age at LT was 4.6years. The median time between LT and DSA assessment was 7.8years (range 1-21years). DSA was identified in twenty-four patients (24%) after LT, with a prevalence of 8%, 28%, 33%, 50%, respectively 0-5years, 5-10years, 10-15years and >15years after LT. DSA were mainly class II (23/24) with a mean MFI of 9.731±5.489 and 18 (79.3%) were C3d-binding DSA. Multivariate analysis disclosed that time elapsed since LT (p<0.01) and history of fulminant hepatitis (p=0.04) were significantly associated with a higher rate of DSA. Liver function tests (at time of DSA assessment) were not different according to the presence or not of DSA (or C3d-binding DSA). Regarding histology, the DSA group had a higher rate of chronic rejection, cirrhosis and centrilobular fibrosis or cirrhosis. In addition, patients with C3d-binding DSA and high MFI (>10,000) had a significant poorer long-term graft survival (p=0.03). CONCLUSION In our pediatric cohort of LT, prevalence of DSA was high and increased regularly with time. Presence of C3d positive-DSA with high MFI was associated with a higher rate of graft loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Couchonnal
- Unité de Transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Service d'hépatologie-gastroentérologie et nutrition pédiatriques, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Christine Rivet
- Service d'hépatologie-gastroentérologie et nutrition pédiatriques, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Stéphanie Ducreux
- Etablissement Français du Sang, Laboratoire d'Histocompatibilité, Lyon, France
| | - Jérôme Dumortier
- Unité de Transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Alexie Bosch
- Unité de Transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Boillot
- Unité de Transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Collardeau-Frachon
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Service de Pathologie, Groupement hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Rémi Dubois
- Chirurgie uro-génitale, viscérale, thoracique, néonatale et transplantation, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Valérie Hervieu
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Patrice André
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Alain Lachaux
- Service d'hépatologie-gastroentérologie et nutrition pédiatriques, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Valérie Dubois
- Etablissement Français du Sang, Laboratoire d'Histocompatibilité, Lyon, France
| | - Olivier Guillaud
- Unité de Transplantation hépatique, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
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Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in liver transplants is a field in its infancy compared with its allograft cohorts of the kidney and lung. Acute AMR is diagnosed based on specific clinical and histopathologic criteria: serum donor specific antibodies, C4d staining, histopathologic findings on liver biopsy, and exclusion of other entities. In contrast, the histologic features of chronic AMR are not as specific and it is a more challenging diagnosis to make. Treatments of acute and chronic AMR include some combination of steroids, immune-modulating agents, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, and proteasome inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lee
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, VC14-238, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Demetris AJ, Bellamy C, Hübscher SG, O'Leary J, Randhawa PS, Feng S, Neil D, Colvin RB, McCaughan G, Fung JJ, Del Bello A, Reinholt FP, Haga H, Adeyi O, Czaja AJ, Schiano T, Fiel MI, Smith ML, Sebagh M, Tanigawa RY, Yilmaz F, Alexander G, Baiocchi L, Balasubramanian M, Batal I, Bhan AK, Bucuvalas J, Cerski CTS, Charlotte F, de Vera ME, ElMonayeri M, Fontes P, Furth EE, Gouw ASH, Hafezi-Bakhtiari S, Hart J, Honsova E, Ismail W, Itoh T, Jhala NC, Khettry U, Klintmalm GB, Knechtle S, Koshiba T, Kozlowski T, Lassman CR, Lerut J, Levitsky J, Licini L, Liotta R, Mazariegos G, Minervini MI, Misdraji J, Mohanakumar T, Mölne J, Nasser I, Neuberger J, O'Neil M, Pappo O, Petrovic L, Ruiz P, Sağol Ö, Sanchez Fueyo A, Sasatomi E, Shaked A, Shiller M, Shimizu T, Sis B, Sonzogni A, Stevenson HL, Thung SN, Tisone G, Tsamandas AC, Wernerson A, Wu T, Zeevi A, Zen Y. 2016 Comprehensive Update of the Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology: Introduction of Antibody-Mediated Rejection. Am J Transplant 2016; 16:2816-2835. [PMID: 27273869 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Banff Working Group on Liver Allograft Pathology reviewed and discussed literature evidence regarding antibody-mediated liver allograft rejection at the 11th (Paris, France, June 5-10, 2011), 12th (Comandatuba, Brazil, August 19-23, 2013), and 13th (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, October 5-10, 2015) meetings of the Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology. Discussion continued online. The primary goal was to introduce guidelines and consensus criteria for the diagnosis of liver allograft antibody-mediated rejection and provide a comprehensive update of all Banff Schema recommendations. Included are new recommendations for complement component 4d tissue staining and interpretation, staging liver allograft fibrosis, and findings related to immunosuppression minimization. In an effort to create a single reference document, previous unchanged criteria are also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Demetris
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - C Bellamy
- The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | | | - J O'Leary
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - P S Randhawa
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - S Feng
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - D Neil
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - R B Colvin
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - G McCaughan
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - F P Reinholt
- Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - H Haga
- Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - O Adeyi
- University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - A J Czaja
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN
| | - T Schiano
- Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - M I Fiel
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - M L Smith
- Mayo Clinic Health System, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - M Sebagh
- AP-HP Hôpital Paul-Brousse, Paris, France
| | - R Y Tanigawa
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F Yilmaz
- University of Ege, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - L Baiocchi
- Policlinico Universitario Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - I Batal
- Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
| | - A K Bhan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - J Bucuvalas
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - C T S Cerski
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | | | - M ElMonayeri
- Ain Shams University, Wady El-Neel Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - P Fontes
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - E E Furth
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - A S H Gouw
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - J Hart
- University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL
| | - E Honsova
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - W Ismail
- Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - T Itoh
- Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - U Khettry
- Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA
| | | | - S Knechtle
- Duke University Health System, Durham, NC
| | - T Koshiba
- Soma Central Hospital, Soma, Fukushima, Japan
| | - T Kozlowski
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - C R Lassman
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J Lerut
- Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - J Levitsky
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - L Licini
- Pope John XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - R Liotta
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - G Mazariegos
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - M I Minervini
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - J Misdraji
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - T Mohanakumar
- St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Norton Thoracic Institute, Phoenix, AZ
| | - J Mölne
- University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - I Nasser
- Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - J Neuberger
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - M O'Neil
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
| | - O Pappo
- Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - L Petrovic
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - P Ruiz
- University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Ö Sağol
- School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - E Sasatomi
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - A Shaked
- University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA
| | - M Shiller
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - T Shimizu
- Toda Chuo General Hospital, Saitama, Japan
| | - B Sis
- University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada
| | - A Sonzogni
- Pope John XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - S N Thung
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - G Tisone
- University of Rome-Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - A Wernerson
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Wu
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
| | - A Zeevi
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Y Zen
- Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
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Donor-Specific Anti-HLA Antibodies and Endothelial C4d Deposition-Association With Chronic Liver Allograft Failure. Transplantation 2015; 99:1869-75. [PMID: 25706274 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The significance of humoral immune response for allograft survival after liver transplantation (LT) is still a matter of debate. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess immunological and clinical factors associated with advanced fibrosis (F3-F4) and chronic graft failure in LT recipients. METHODS Serum samples from 174 patients prospectively enrolled and followed up for 12 months were tested for anti-HLA antibodies and compared against donor HLA types. Immunohistochemical C4d staining was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver tissue. RESULTS Mean time period from LT to enrollment was 66.9 ± 51.9 months. Independent predictive factors for graft failure included donor-positive cytomegalovirus serostatus (P = 0.02), donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against HLA class II (P = 0.03), donor age (P = 0.01), hepatitis C virus allograft reinfection (P = 0.0008), and biliary complications (P = 0.003). HLA class II DSA and HLA class I antibody positivity, hepatitis C virus reinfection, and mycophenolate mofetil-free regimens were significant risk factors for advanced fibrosis after LT. There was a significant association between C4d deposition on allograft endothelial cells and presence of class II DSA (P < 0.0001). Patients with C4d deposits had a 4.3 times higher risk of graft failure than those with negative staining and a significantly lower median time to graft failure (94.6 months [range, 3.6-158.9 months] vs 176.4 months [range, 9.4-217.8 months], P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Screening for HLA DSA might be useful for early identification of LT recipients at increased risk of graft failure who could benefit from closer surveillance and tailored immunosuppressive regimens.
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Cuadrado A, San Segundo D, López-Hoyos M, Crespo J, Fábrega E. Clinical significance of donor-specific human leukocyte antigen antibodies in liver transplantation. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:11016-11026. [PMID: 26494958 PMCID: PMC4607901 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i39.11016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) caused by donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA) is widely accepted to be a risk factor for decreased graft survival after kidney transplantation. This entity also plays a pathogenic role in other solid organ transplants as it appears to be an increasingly common cause of heart graft dysfunction and an emerging issue in lung transplantation. In contrast, the liver appears relatively resistant to DSA-mediated injury. This “immune-tolerance” liver property has been sustained by a low rate of liver graft loss in patients with preformed DSA and by the intrinsic liver characteristics that favor the absorption and elimination of DSA; however, alloantibody-mediated adverse consequences are increasingly being recognized, and several cases of acute AMR after ABO-compatible liver transplant (LT) have been reported. Furthermore, the availability of new solid-phase assays, allowing the detection of low titers of DSA and the refinement of objective diagnostic criteria for AMR in solid organ transplants and particularly in LT, have improved the recognition and management of this entity. A cost-effective strategy of DSA monitoring, avoidance of class II human leukocyte antigen mismatching, judicious immunosuppression attached to a higher level of clinical suspicion of AMR, particularly in cases unresponsive to conventional anti-rejection therapy, can allow a rational approach to this threat.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Liver allograft antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) studies have lagged behind parallel efforts in kidney and heart because of a comparative inherent hepatic resistance to AMR. Three developments, however, have increased interest: first, solid phase antibody testing enabled more precise antibody characterization; second, increased expectations for long-term, morbidity-free survival; and third, immunosuppression minimization trials. RECENT FINDINGS Two overlapping liver allograft AMR phenotypic expressions are beginning to emerge: acute and chronic AMR. Acute AMR usually occurs within the several weeks after transplantation and characterized clinically by donor-specific antibodies (DSA) persistence, allograft dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and hypocomplementemia. Acute AMR appears histopathologically similar to acute AMR in other organs: diffuse microvascular endothelial cell hypertrophy, C4d deposits, neutrophilic, eosinophilic, and macrophag-mediated microvasculitis/capillaritis, along with liver-specific ductular reaction, centrilobular hepatocyte swelling, and hepatocanalicular cholestasis often combined with T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). Chronic AMR is less well defined, but strongly linked to serum class II DSA and associated with late-onset acute TCMR, fibrosis, chronic rejection, and decreased survival. Unlike acute AMR, chronic AMR is a slowly evolving insult with a number of potential manifestations, but most commonly appears as low-grade lymphoplasmacytic portal and perivenular inflammation accompanied by unusual fibrosis patterns and variable microvascular C4d deposition; capillaritis can be more difficult to identify than in acute AMR. SUMMARY More precise DSA characterization, increasing expectations for long-term survival, and immunosuppression weaning precipitated a re-emergence of liver allograft AMR interest. Pathophysiological similarities exist between heart, kidney, and liver allografts, but liver-specific considerations may prove critical to our ultimate understanding of all solid organ AMR.
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Tissue biopsy monitoring of operational tolerance in liver allograft recipients. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2013; 18:345-53. [PMID: 23619515 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0b013e3283615d48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Highly selected, long-surviving, liver allograft recipients with normal/near normal liver injury tests can be weaned from immunosuppression. Baseline biopsies document changes before weaning and can help stratify risk of rejection or dysfunction after weaning; biopsies after weaning are used to study mechanisms of operational tolerance and to monitor for subclinical events. RECENT FINDINGS Clinicopathological features associated with successful weaning include a lack of sensitization [negative donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and lack of tissue C4d deposits]; 'inexperienced' recipient immune system with limited potential for cross-reactivity (less immunological memory; infant recipients); noninflamed allograft in those with nonviral, nonimmunological original diseases; upregulation of liver genes associated with iron metabolism; allograft colonization with 'immunosuppressive' cells (Treg and γδ-1>γδ-2); and longer time on immunosuppression, which might signal slow clonal deletion or silencing. The differential diagnosis of histopathological findings detected before and after weaning includes emerging infections, typical and atypical cellular rejection, indolent antibody-mediated rejection, 'autoimmunity', and other causes of progressive fibrosis. SUMMARY Operationally tolerant liver allograft recipients can be successfully managed with very low, and sometimes no immunosuppression, but challenges exist. Newer approaches to tissue pathology and tissue, serum, and cross-platform analytics are needed to predict successful weaning and to monitor for subclinical events.
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Shimizu A, Ishii E, Kuwahara N, Arai T, Kanzaki G, Higo S, Kajimoto Y, Nagasaka S, Masuda Y, Fukuda Y. Chronic Antibody-Mediated Responses May Mediate Chronic Rejection in Rat Orthotopic Liver Transplantation. Transplant Proc 2013; 45:1743-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2013.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Revised: 01/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is increasing evidence to suggest that antibody-mediated mechanisms play a role in the pathogenesis of liver allograft rejection. This article will review the pathology of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) focusing on recent studies which have improved our understanding of the clinicopathological features and diagnostic approaches. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have investigated the patterns of immunohistochemical staining for C4d as a tissue marker of AMR in posttransplant biopsies, and have correlated these findings with other histopathological changes and with the presence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). These studies have highlighted the diagnostic applications and limitations of C4d immunostaining. They have also emphasized the importance of using strict criteria for defining 'pure' AMR in the liver allograft - that is, graft dysfunction associated with compatible histological findings (typically resembling biliary obstruction), the presence of DSAs and diffusely positive staining for C4d. SUMMARY Pure AMR is relatively uncommon in ABO-compatible grafts - it should be diagnosed on the basis of strict criteria and requires treatment with antibody-depleting immunosuppression. C4d immunostaining in isolation has limited diagnostic value. However, the presence of diffuse C4d immunostaining (involving endothelium or stroma in >50% of portal tracts or sinusoids) suggests a significant component of antibody-mediated graft damage. In a person with suggestive histological features, this finding should prompt testing for DSAs. Even in the absence of typical histological features of AMR, the combined presence of DSAs and diffuse C4d positivity is associated with more frequent or severe acute and chronic rejection, which may also warrant treatment with antibody-depleting immunosuppression.
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Fayek SA. The value of C4d deposit in post liver transplant liver biopsies. Transpl Immunol 2012; 27:166-70. [PMID: 22975227 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2012.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Presence of C4d in renal and cardiac allografts is a sign of antibody-mediated rejection and is associated with worse outcomes. The value of C4d in liver specimens is controversial. We aimed to determine the association of C4d deposition with acute cellular rejection (ACR), hepatitis C (HCV) recurrence, and clinical outcome after ABO compatible liver transplants (OLT). METHODS Using immunohistochemical stain, 70 liver biopsies (44 study and 26 control groups) were evaluated for C4d deposition. Study group included for-cause post OLT biopsies. Staining of endothelial cells was considered positive. RESULTS In the study group C4d was positive in 22.7% versus 3.8% in controls (P=0.03), all had portal vein deposits. In 17 biopsies with ACR, 3 had positive C4d (17.6%) versus 7/27 with HCV recurrence (25.9%) (P=0.4). In HCV recurrence, 3/7 biopsies with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis had positive C4d (42.9%) versus 4/20 without these features (20%) (P=0.24). Out of 10 recipients with positive C4d 4 had poor outcomes versus 3/22 with negative C4d (P=0.12). CONCLUSIONS C4d staining was significantly more frequent in post OLT biopsies compared with controls. C4d is not specifically associated with ACR and does not differentiate it from HCV recurrence but is associated with a trend toward poorer outcome.
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Oura T, Yamashita K, Suzuki T, Fukumori D, Watanabe M, Hirokata G, Wakayama K, Taniguchi M, Shimamura T, Miura T, Okimura K, Maeta K, Haga H, Kubota K, Shimizu A, Sakai F, Furukawa H, Todo S. Long-term hepatic allograft acceptance based on CD40 blockade by ASKP1240 in nonhuman primates. Am J Transplant 2012; 12:1740-54. [PMID: 22420525 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2012.04014.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Blockade of the CD40-CD154 costimulatory signal is an attractive strategy for immunosuppression and tolerance induction in organ transplantation. Treatment with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) results in potent immunosuppression in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Despite plans for future clinical use, further development of these treatments was halted by complications. As an alternative approach, we have been focusing on the inhibition of the counter receptor, CD40 and have shown that a novel human anti-CD40 mAb, ASKP1240, markedly prolongs renal allograft survival in NHPs, although allografts eventually underwent chronic allograft nephropathy. On the basis of our previous findings that a CD40-CD154 costimulation blockade induces tolerance to hepatic, but not cardiac, allografts in rodents, we tested here our hypothesis that a blockade of CD40 by ASKP1240 allows acceptance of hepatic allografts in NHPs. A 2-week ASKP1240 induction treatment prolonged liver allograft survival in NHPs; however, the graft function deteriorated due to chronic rejection. In contrast, a 6-month ASKP1240 maintenance monotherapy efficiently suppressed both cellular and humoral alloimmune responses and prevented rejection on the hepatic allograft. No serious side effects, including thromboembolic complications, were noted in the ASKP1240-treated monkeys. We conclude that CD40 blockade by ASKP1240 would be a desirable immunosuppressant for clinical liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Oura
- Department of General Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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14
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Kozlowski T, Andreoni K, Schmitz J, Hayashi PH, Nickeleit V. Sinusoidal C4d deposits in liver allografts indicate an antibody-mediated response: diagnostic considerations in the evaluation of liver allografts. Liver Transpl 2012; 18:641-58. [PMID: 22298469 DOI: 10.1002/lt.23403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of data concerning the correlation of complement component 4d (C4d) staining in liver allografts and antibody-mediated rejection. Data about the location and character of C4d deposits in native and allograft liver tissues are inconsistent. We performed C4d immunofluorescence (IF) on 141 fresh-frozen liver allograft biopsy samples and native livers, documented the pattern of C4d IF staining, and correlated the findings with the presence of donor-specific alloantibodies (DSAs). A linear/granular sinusoidal pattern of C4d IF was noted in 18 of 28 biopsy samples obtained after transplantation from patients with positive crossmatch and detectable donor-specific alloantibody (pos-XM/DSA) findings. None of the 59 tested biopsy samples from patients with negative crossmatch and detectable donor-specific alloantibody (neg-XM/DSA) findings were C4d-positive (P < 0.001). No significant association was found between pos-XM/DSA and C4d IF staining in other nonsinusoidal liver compartments. To compare the results of sinusoidal C4d staining with IF and 2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques, C4d IHC was performed on 19 liver allograft biopsy samples in which a sinusoidal pattern of C4d IF had been noted. Sinusoidal C4d IHC findings were negative for 17 of the 19 biopsy samples; 2 showed weak and focal staining, and both patients had pos-XM/DSA findings. Portal vein endothelium staining was present in only 1 IF-stained biopsy sample (pos-XM/DSA) but in 11 IHC-stained biopsy samples (2 of the 11 samples had neg-XM/DSA findings). We conclude that sinusoidal C4d deposits detected by IF in frozen tissue samples from liver allograft recipients correlate with the presence of DSAs and an antibody-mediated alloresponse. These observations are similar to findings reported for other solid organ transplants and can provide relevant information for patient management. Further validation of IHC techniques for C4d detection in liver allograft tissue is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kozlowski
- Departments of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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15
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Lunz J, Ruppert KM, Cajaiba MM, Isse K, Bentlejewski CA, Minervini M, Nalesnik MA, Randhawa P, Rubin E, Sasatomi E, de Vera ME, Fontes P, Humar A, Zeevi A, Demetris AJ. Re-examination of the lymphocytotoxic crossmatch in liver transplantation: can C4d stains help in monitoring? Am J Transplant 2012; 12:171-82. [PMID: 21992553 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03786.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
C4d-assisted recognition of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE) from donor-specific antibody-positive (DSA+) renal allograft recipients prompted study of DSA+ liver allograft recipients as measured by lymphocytotoxic crossmatch (XM) and/or Luminex. XM results did not influence patient or allograft survival, or cellular rejection rates, but XM+ recipients received significantly more prophylactic steroids. Endothelial C4d staining strongly correlates with XM+ (<3 weeks posttransplantation) and DSA+ status and cellular rejection, but not with worse Banff grading or treatment response. Diffuse C4d staining, XM+, DSA+ and ABO- incompatibility status, histopathology and clinical-serologic profile helped establish an isolated AMR diagnosis in 5 of 100 (5%) XM+ and one ABO-incompatible, recipients. C4d staining later after transplantation was associated with rejection and nonrejection-related causes of allograft dysfunction in DSA- and DSA+ recipients, some of whom had good outcomes without additional therapy. Liver allograft FFPE C4d staining: (a) can help classify liver allograft dysfunction; (b) substantiates antibody contribution to rejection; (c) probably represents nonalloantibody insults and/or complete absorption in DSA- recipients and (d) alone, is an imperfect AMR marker needing correlation with routine histopathology, clinical and serologic profiles. Further study in late biopsies and other tissue markers of liver AMR with simultaneous DSA measurements are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lunz
- Department of Pathology, Division of Transplantation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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16
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Kwun J, Bulut P, Kim E, Dar W, Oh B, Ruhil R, Iwakoshi N, Knechtle SJ. The role of B cells in solid organ transplantation. Semin Immunol 2011; 24:96-108. [PMID: 22137187 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2011.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The role of antibodies in chronic injury to organ transplants has been suggested for many years, but recently emphasized by new data. We have observed that when immunosuppressive potency decreases either by intentional weaning of maintenance agents or due to homeostatic repopulation after immune cell depletion, the threshold of B cell activation may be lowered. In human transplant recipients the result may be donor-specific antibody, C4d+ injury, and chronic rejection. This scenario has precise parallels in a rhesus monkey renal allograft model in which T cells are depleted with CD3 immunotoxin, or in a CD52-T cell transgenic mouse model using alemtuzumab to deplete T cells. Such animal models may be useful for the testing of therapeutic strategies to prevent DSA. We agree with others who suggest that weaning of immunosuppression may place transplant recipients at risk of chronic antibody-mediated rejection, and that strategies to prevent this scenario are needed if we are to improve long-term graft and patient outcomes in transplantation. We believe that animal models will play a crucial role in defining the pathophysiology of antibody-mediated rejection and in developing effective therapies to prevent graft injury. Two such animal models are described herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Kwun
- Emory Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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17
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Bellamy COC. Complement C4d immunohistochemistry in the assessment of liver allograft biopsy samples: applications and pitfalls. Liver Transpl 2011; 17:747-50. [PMID: 21542127 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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Aguilera I, Sousa JM, Gavilan F, Gomez L, Alvarez-Márquez A, Núñez-Roldán A. Complement component 4d immunostaining in liver allografts of patients with de novo immune hepatitis. Liver Transpl 2011; 17:779-88. [PMID: 21425430 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
De novo immune hepatitis (DNIH) is a form of late graft dysfunction after liver transplantation. The fine mechanisms leading to the development of DNIH are not known, and whether this hepatitis is a form of rejection or a result of an auto/alloimmune injury has not been established. In our patients, DNIH was always preceded by the production of donor-specific antibodies against the glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) enzyme because of a genetic mismatch in which the donors carried the wild-type gene and the recipients displayed the null genotype. Complement component 4d (C4d) immunopositivity in 12 paraffin-embedded liver biopsy samples from 8 patients diagnosed with DNIH associated with anti-GSTT1 antibodies was retrospectively evaluated. Six patients with a diagnosis of chronic rejection (CR) and 7 patients with hepatitis C virus recurrence were included as control groups. Among the patients with DNIH, 7 showed C4d-positive immunostaining localized in the portal tracts, whereas in the tested biopsy samples of the 2 control groups, this staining pattern was absent. Four biopsy samples of the CR group showed C4d-positive sinusoidal staining. This study confirms the activation of the complement pathway in the presence of donor-specific antibodies, which was shown by the deposition of C4d elements in liver biopsy samples of patients with DNIH. The use of C4d as a marker of antibody-mediated rejection in liver allografts in the presence of antidonor antibodies is discussed, and it may contribute to improved differential diagnoses based on biopsy findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Aguilera
- Immunology, Biomedicine Institute of Seville, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain.
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19
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Wan R, Ying W, Zeng L, Deng X, Chen H, Gao L. Antibody-Mediated Response in Rat Liver Chronic Rejection. Transplant Proc 2011; 43:1976-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2010] [Revised: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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20
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Musat A, Agni R, Wai P, Pirsch J, Lorentzen D, Powell A, Leverson G, Bellingham J, Fernandez L, Foley D, Mezrich J, D'Alessandro A, Lucey M. The significance of donor-specific HLA antibodies in rejection and ductopenia development in ABO compatible liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2011; 11:500-10. [PMID: 21342448 PMCID: PMC3357120 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2010.03414.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The role of humoral alloreactivity in ABO-compatible liver transplantation remains unclear. To understand the significance of donor-specific HLA alloantibodies (DSA) in liver rejection, we applied the currently used strategy for detection of antibody-mediated rejection of other solid allografts. For this purpose we reviewed the data on 43 recipients of ABO identical/compatible donor livers who had indication liver biopsy stained for complement element C4d and contemporaneous circulating DSA determination. Seventeen (40%) patients had significant circulating DSA in association with diffuse portal C4d deposition (DSA+/diffuse C4d+). These DSA+/diffuse C4d+ subjects had higher frequency of acute cellular rejection (ACR) 15/17 versus 13/26 (88% vs. 50%), p = 0.02, and steroid resistant rejection 7/17 versus 5/26 (41% vs. 19%), p = 0.03. Based on detection of the combination DSA+/diffuse C4d+, 53.6% of cases of ACR had evidence of concurrent humoral alloreactivity. Six of the 10 patients with ductopenic rejection had circulating DSA and diffuse portal C4d, three of whom (2 early and 1 late posttransplantation) developed unrelenting cholestasis, necessitating specific antibody-depleting therapy to salvage the allografts. Thus, in ABO-compatible liver transplantation humoral alloreactivity mediated by antibodies against donor HLA molecules appears to be frequently intertwined with cellular mechanisms of rejection, and to play a role in ductopenia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.I. Musat
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI,Corresponding author: Alexandru I. Musat,
| | - R.M. Agni
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - P.Y. Wai
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - J.D. Pirsch
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - D.F. Lorentzen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - A. Powell
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - G.E. Leverson
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - J.M. Bellingham
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - L.A. Fernandez
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - D.P. Foley
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - J.D. Mezrich
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - A.M. D'Alessandro
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
| | - M.R. Lucey
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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21
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Ali SA, Shah V, McKinnon R, Van Harn M, Janakiraman N. Frequent expression of C4d in hepatic graft-versus-host disease: potential clue for diagnosis and distinguishing acute and chronic form. Transpl Immunol 2010; 23:77-80. [PMID: 20230895 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2010.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant, is generally regarded to develop through cell-mediated immune response following activation of helper T cells. Since production of antibodies is also mediated by helper T cells, the role of humoral immunity in GVHD is questioned and has not yet been explored in clinical practice. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the role of antibody production in hepatic H-GVHD and whether it can distinguish acute and chronic forms. RESULTS C4d expression was increased in portal vessels and hepatic sinusoids of patients with histological proven evidence of GVHD 11/16 (P=0.007). Patients classified as chronic GVHD were statistically more likely to have C4d expression in the portal vasculature and liver sinusoids (P=0.011). CONCLUSION Humoral activation seems to play a role in pathophysiology of hepatic, especially chronic GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharif A Ali
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Detroit, MI 48202, United States.
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