What Else Distinguishes Cellular Rejection Grade 1A From 0? Annexin V and BCL in Elective Biopsies Received From Heart Transplant Recipients

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 41; no. 8; pp. 3198 - 3201
• Main Authors: Zeglen, S, Nozynski, J, Wozniak-Grygiel, E, Zakliczynski, M, Kucewicz-Czech, E, Laszewska, A, Cichoracka, A, Zembala, M
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.10.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Annexin A5 - genetics; Annexin A5 - metabolism; Apoptosis; bcl-X Protein - genetics; bcl-X Protein - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Body Mass Index; Cardiomyopathies - pathology; Cardiomyopathies - surgery; Disease Progression; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Graft Rejection - classification; Graft Rejection - pathology; Heart Transplantation - pathology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Transplantation, Homologous; Heart; Graft(material); Transplantation; Homotransplantation; Medicine; Rejection; Anatomic pathology; Treatment; Biopsy; Surgery; Graft; Circulatory system; Annexin V; Cell; Elective
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.07.062

Abstract Background Despite morphologic differences of lymphocytes aggregation between nonrejection (0 on the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation [ISHLT] scale) and moderate focal cellular rejection (1a, ISHLT), genetic and clinical differences have not been shown in Cardiac Allograft Rejection Gene Observation (CARGO) studies. Therefore, we sought to compare the expression of selected antigens associated with apoptosis in heart transplant recipients in the context of grade 0 versus grade 1a cellular rejection episodes. We assessed the expression of annexin V, a nonspecific apoptosis marker, Bcl-2 as opposed to antiapoptotic activity of Bcl-xL and Bcl-xL/S. Materials and Methods We retrospectively examined 17 heart transplant patients (2 women and 15 men) of overall mean age of 46.2 ± 13.9 years and body mass index of 25.7 ± 3.2. Ten biopsies showed rejection grade 0 and the other 10, grade 1a on the ISHLT scale, comprising groups A and B, respectively. Endomyocardial biopsy specimens were processed using routine immunohistochemical methods. The expression of apoptotic molecules was assessed according to the IHC method: 0, the lack of expression; 1, trace; 2, distinct; and 3, strong. A correlation was analyzed between particular molecular expressions. Results We observed a significant increase in Bcl-2 expression associated with rejection. The expression of other antigens did not show a significant tendency. No correlation was noted among group A, whereas in group B those were significant strong and negative correlations with Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL/S. Conclusion Bcl-2 expression corresponded to the morphologic progression of graft rejection as opposed to Bcl-xL/S activity.