Antibodies to hepatocyte derived antigens and liver damage in patients after bone marrow transplantation

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 1991 Mar-Apr;19(2):63-8.

Abstract

The follow-up sera from 33 patients who received allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were tested by ELISA for antibodies to liver derived antigens present in a macromolecular, lipid associated, protein complex (LSP). Anti-LSP were found in 20% of patients with graft-vs-host disease (1 with acute GVHD, 3 with chronic GVHD), but in none of the 13 patients without GVHD. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCTA) were frequently detected with similar prevalence in patients with and without GVHD. In the 4 anti-LSP +ve cases, LCTA serum levels did not follow the trend of anti-LSP antibody levels. Liver biopsy was performed in 10 patients with clinical and biochemical sign of GVHD and showed features of hepatic GVHD in six cases; although piecemeal necrosis was present in 3 cases, anti-LSP were detected only in one patient. An anti-LSP response can be elicited in patients after BMT only during GVHD, with no relationship to LCTA and without a close association with signs of periportal hepatocyte damage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies / blood*
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Liver Diseases / immunology
  • Liver Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Middle Aged
  • Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Proteins