Negative immunohistochemical detection of CD103 (alphaEbeta7 integrin) in the infiltrates of acute rejection in liver and kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND

The infiltration of epithelium by CD8+ T lymphocytes in human renal or liver allografts is a critical feature of acute rejection. CD103 expression can be acquired in vitro by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in response to allogeneic renal epithelial cells and promotes their adhesion to epithelium and subsequent lysis of epithelial cells. We investigated the expression of CD103 in T-cell infiltrates during acute renal or liver rejection (grade < III).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical detection of CD103 in 11 liver and 10 kidney transplant biopsies with histopathological diagnosis of acute rejection.

RESULTS

None of the infiltrates expressed detectable CD103, although positive controls were stained under our conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Failure to detect CD103 in renal biopsies can be related to the early posttransplantation interval (<6 months) corresponding to a first rejection episode. In our hands, immunohistological detection of CD103 was not possible in the infiltrates of acute rejection in liver or kidney transplantation.