Title | Intragraft activation of genes encoding cytotoxic T lymphocyte effector molecules precedes the histological evidence of rejection in human cardiac transplantation. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2001 |
Authors | Shulzhenko, N, Morgun, A, Zheng, XX, Diniz, RV, Almeida, DR, Ma, N, Strom, TB, Gerbase-Delima, M |
Journal | Transplantation |
Volume | 72 |
Issue | 10 |
Pagination | 1705-8 |
Date Published | 2001 Nov 27 |
Keywords | Cytotoxic, 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. |