Acute Rejection Correlates with Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Antigens on Peripheral Blood CD3⁺CD8⁺ T-Lymphocytes following Skin Transplantation in Mice

Author： Zhou YX Zhao SM Lu N Yang XJ Zhang Y Li YJ Zou X

Publisher： Field House Publishing

ISSN： 0300-0605

Source： The Journal of International Medical Research, Vol.39, Iss.2, 2011-03, pp. : 480-487

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Abstract

This study investigated major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) antigen expression on peripheral blood T-cells after transplantation to assess its potential as an early marker of acute graft rejection (AGR). Using a mouse model with or without immunosuppressive treatment, the expression of MHC-I antigens on CD3⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes was assessed by flow cytometry following syngeneic graft (n = 138) or allograft (n = 138) skin transplantation. The occurrence of AGR was assessed by examining the degree of lymphocyte and monocyte infiltration in transplant biopsies. During AGR, expression of MHC-I antigens increased significantly compared with pre-transplant levels in the allograft group, even with immunosuppressive treatment. The highest expression of MHC-I antigens occurred 5 – 6 days before macroscopic rejection. These results suggest that expression of MHC-I antigens on peripheral blood CD3⁺CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes could be used as an early marker for predicting AGR.