TitleIntragraft activation of genes encoding cytotoxic T lymphocyte effector molecules precedes the histological evidence of rejection in human cardiac transplantation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsShulzhenko, N, Morgun, A, Zheng, XX, Diniz, RV, Almeida, DR, Ma, N, Strom, TB, Gerbase-Delima, M
JournalTransplantation
Volume72
Issue10
Pagination1705-8
Date Published2001 Nov 27
KeywordsCytotoxic, T-Lymphocytes
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate transcripts of perforin, granzyme B, and Fas ligand (FasL) in heart transplants undergoing rejection. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was applied for mRNA detection in 29 endomyocardial biopsy specimens from 11 cardiac allograft recipients. RESULTS: The mRNA levels of granzyme B, perforin, and FasL were higher (P<0.05) in biopsy specimens with rejection than in biopsy specimens without rejection (granzyme B, 0.53 vs. 0.09; perforin, 0.34 vs. 0; FasL, 0.57 vs. 0.36). In prerejection biopsy specimens, granzyme B and FasL levels were significantly higher than in biopsy specimens without rejection. Any two of the three transcripts were increased in 100% of prerejection, in 92% of rejection, and in 36% of no rejection biopsy specimens (P<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of intragraft levels of cytotoxic T lymphocyte effector molecule mRNA represents a valuable tool in the monitoring of cardiac allograft rejection, especially considering the predictive value for warning of impending acute rejection.