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Human aortic valve allografts elicit a donor-specific immune response
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Human cryopreserved aortic valve allografts trigger a significant immune response in recipients. This alloreactivity, marked by antibodies and T-cell responses, may lead to graft deterioration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Aortic valve allografts are used in cardiac surgery.
- The immunologic response to these grafts is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immune response to human cryopreserved aortic valve allografts.
- To determine the nature and magnitude of this response.
Main Methods:
- Studied 20 recipients of aortic valve allografts.
- Used flow cytometry, microlymphocytotoxic crossmatch assays, and mixed lymphocyte cultures.
- Assessed donor-specific antibodies and T-cell responses serially.
Main Results:
- Donor-specific IgG antibodies to HLA class I and II were detected in all recipients by 30 days post-implantation.
- These antibodies persisted in most recipients at 365 days.
- Recipient T-cell reactivity to donor lymphocytes increased significantly by day 30.
Conclusions:
- Cryopreserved aortic valve allografts induce a substantial allogeneic immune response.
- This immune response may contribute to graft morphologic changes and long-term functional decline.