Nonspecific hemolytic effector of activated macrophages as activation marker of allograft rejection

The aim was to assess a nonspecific hemolytic effector of activated monocytes/macrophages, designated spontaneous plaque-forming cell (SPFC), as an activation marker in allograft rejection. An in vitro study on the immunologic characteristics of SPFC monocytes in man and an in vivo study in Lewis rats as to the monitoring of SPFC generation of allograft infiltrating cells with or without immunosuppression were conducted. Hemolysis of SPFC was mediated by CR3 adhesion molecules, detected by Mo-1 and OKM10 monoclonal antibodies. Hemolysis of SPFC was nonspecific, and nonrosette-forming T cells with autologous erythrocytes (non-ARFC-T) acted as suppressor T cells inhibiting SPFC-hemolysis against autologous erythrocytes. A 6-day course of immunosuppression with a daily dose of cyclosporin A (CyA) 10 mg/kg and of FK506 1 mg/kg suppressed the SPFC generation to the level of syngeneic control. In contrast, peak SPFC generation coincided with rejection, and the degree of SPFC generation reflected the grade of histoincompatibility. The present findings suggested that SPFC-activated monocytes/macrophages may be one of the activation markers in allograft rejection and lead to a new concept of graft rejection and self or nonself discrimination mediated by nonspecific, hemolytic SPFC effectors and suppressor T cells inhibiting autoreactivity.