Association of humoral immunity and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

TitleAssociation of humoral immunity and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsMagro CM, Ross P, Kelsey M, W Waldman J, Pope-Harman A
JournalAm J Transplant
Volume3
Issue9
Pagination1155-66
Date Published2003 Sep
ISSN1600-6135
KeywordsAged, Antibody Formation, B-Lymphocytes, Biomarkers, Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Complement C4, Complement C4b, Endothelium, Vascular, Female, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct, Humans, Lung Transplantation, Male, Middle Aged, Peptide Fragments, Postoperative Complications
Abstract

Animal studies have shown that blockade of complement may reduce the severity of and/or prevent the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), suggesting a role for complement activation. We explored the hypothesis that humoral immunity plays a role in the evolution of BOS. Thirteen unilateral lung transplant patients with BOS defined the patient population. Fresh frozen tissue was analyzed for deposition of C1q, C4d, C5b-9 and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA). An indirect immunofluorescent assay was also conducted with patient serum against cytospins of the pulmonary endothelium. In each case the biopsies showed a microvascular injury syndrome involving the bronchial wall characterized by one or more of hemorrhage, fibrin deposition, and endothelial cell necrosis. Other features included bronchial epithelial and chondrocyte necrosis. The end-stage lesion was a thinned bronchial epithelial lining mural fibrosis. Immunofluorescent analysis showed deposition of C1q, C3, C4d, C5b-9, and immunoglobulin in the bronchial epithelium, chondrocytes, basement membrane zone of the bronchial epithelium, and bronchial wall microvasculature. The indirect antiendothelial cell antibody assay was positive in all tested. Humoral immunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of BOS; the antigenic targets include the bronchial wall microvasculature, bronchial epithelium, and chondrocytes.

DOI10.1034/j.1600-6143.2003.00168.x
Alternate JournalAm J Transplant
PubMed ID12919096
Related Faculty: 
Cynthia M. Magro, M.D.

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