Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and anti-proteinase 3 antibodies in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis.

alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) is a naturally occurring inhibitor of proteinase 3 (PR3) and elastase, two of the target antigens of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). An increased incidence of alpha 1-AT phenotypes associated with dysfunctional alpha 1-AT or low serum levels has been reported in patients with anti-PR3 antibodies. We have studied the relationship between ANCA, and phenotypes and serum levels of alpha 1-AT. Phenotypes usually associated with a moderate or severe reduction in alpha 1-AT serum levels or in dysfunctional activity were found more often in individuals with anti-PR3 antibodies than in the general population: four of the 31 patients (13%) with anti-PR3 antibodies had phenotypes MZ (n = 2), S (n = 1) or Z (n = 1) (P < 0.05). However, the corresponding alpha 1-AT serum levels were normal (n = 3) or elevated (n = 1). None of the 31 sera with anti-PR3 antibodies had low levels of alpha 1-AT. No abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotype was demonstrated in seven patients with anti-elastase antibodies, despite a low level of alpha 1-AT in one serum. Anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies are common in patients with ANCA, but no abnormal phenotype or low serum alpha 1-AT level was demonstrated in any of 29 sera containing these antibodies. Finally anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies occur occasionally in patients with ANCA-associated diseases, but again none of 10 sera had an abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotype or low serum level. ANCA were not demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence in any serum from 73 patients with abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotypes. These results confirm that patients with anti-PR3 antibodies often have alpha 1-AT phenotypes that are usually associated with low serum levels of alpha 1-AT or with dysfunctional protein. Nevertheless, the incidence of anti-PR3 antibodies in patients with abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotypes is very low. This probably reflects the rarity of Wegener's granulomatosis, the major disease associated with anti-PR3 antibodies, and the relative frequency of abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotypes. The mechanism for the development of anti-PR3 antibodies in patients with abnormal alpha 1-AT phenotypes is not clear, but may relate to the increased propensity of unbound and uninhibited PR3 to stimulate autoantibody production.     

Demonstration of alpha 1-antitrypsin in hepatomas.

Sixty-nine primary malignant hepatomas were examined for the presence of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alph 1-AT) in tumor cells using immunohistochemical methods. Twenty-eight tumors showed positivity for alpha 1-AT. The reaction was globular and PAS-positive in 12 hepatocellular tumors and thus simulated the pattern of alpha 1-AT accumulation in hepatocytes in subjects carrying the Z-gene for alpha 1-AT. In fact, eight of these 12 tumors presented this pattern in the nontumours liver tissue. In ten hepatocellular tumors the reaction was finely granular throughout the hepatocytic cytoplasm, but was present in only a small number of cells. Still fewer cells were positive in six cholangiocarcinomas. The globular alpha 1-AT in tumor cells may be genetically determined when associated with the Z-gene. A reappearance of fetal gene products may be assumed in three hepatocarcinomas with globules positive for alpha-fetoprotein as well as alpha 1-AT.     

Adenovirus hepatitis in two successive liver transplants in a child

Adenoviruses can produce severe disease, especially in patients who are immunosuppressed. We present a unique case in which adenovirus type 5 was demonstrated retrospectively, by using immunohistochemical methods, in the appendix of a liver transplant donor. The donor had intussusception, which has been associated with adenovirus infection. Both the initial and a second liver transplant in the recipient were severely damaged by adenovirus type 5. These findings were demonstrated immunohistochemically, as well as on electron microscopy. The recipient died due to the infection and ensuing complications.     

Intra- and extracellular alpha 1-antitrypsin in liver disease with special reference to Pi phenotype.

In order to study the relation between intra- and extrahepatocellular alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) concentrations in patients with various Pi phenotypes, a prospective series of needle liver biopsies was stained with both periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and a specific immunoperoxidase technique to demonstrate intracellular alpha 1-AT. Concomitant blood samples from all patients were analysed for alpha 1-AT. Pi phenotypes were determined by isoelectric focusing. Non-globular intrahepatocellular alpha 1-AT can be seen in biopsies from Pi M patients with increased plasma alpha 1-AT concentrations and active liver disease. No evidence was found in this study of 250 patients (including 22 controls) for predisposition toward liver disease in any phenotypic group. PAS or immunoperoxidase staining (or both) for alpha 1-AT demonstrated characteristic globular inclusions in 11 of 15 cases having the Z allele, one case being diffusely positive and three negative. Biopsies from 3 of 207 patients with liver disease and lacking the Z allele had globular inclusions seen with both PAS and immunoperoxidase techniques. alpha 1-AT globules in absence of the Z allele are most often found in elderly patients with severe disease and high plasma alpha 1-AT concentrations.     

Origin of adenocarcinoma in a transplanted liver determined by microsatellite analysis

Inadvertent transmission of neoplastic cells from an organ donor can occur at the time of transplantation. Determination of recipient versus donor origin of a tumor is crucial for patient management. This report illustrates the use of microsatellite (MS) analysis to determine the origin of adenocarcinoma arising in a liver transplant. The study patient was a 42-year-old male who had received a liver transplant for hepatitis C and alcohol-related cirrhosis. At the 1-year follow-up visit, a 1.5-cm liver mass was identified during routine ultrasound of the vascular anastamoses. A liver biopsy showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Tumor, donor, and recipient DNA were isolated from the paraffin-embedded liver biopsy, pretransplant donor liver biopsy, and the explant liver tissue, respectively. MS analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction using 5 markers: D5S346, ACTC, D2S123, D18S34, and TP53. The allelic patterns of tumor DNA were identical to those of donor DNA and were distinct from the DNA profile of the recipient. The use of MS analysis clearly established that the adenocarcinoma was of donor origin.     

De novo infection of hepatitis B virus in patients with orthotopic liver transplantation: analysis by determining complete sequence of the genome

De novo infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) occurs after liver transplantation from donors with HBV markers that suggest past infection. In the present study, the complete nucleotide sequences of HBV derived from a donor and recipients were determined to determine the clinical and virological characteristics. A total of 57 donor-recipient pairs, which underwent living-related orthotopic liver transplantation, were enrolled in the present study; all were negative for HBsAg before transplantation. HBV DNA was tested in serum, liver tissue, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleotide sequence of HBV was determined based on PCR products and the phylogenetic analysis. De novo infection of HBV was found in 3 of the 57 recipients. Anti-HBc was positive in all donors of 3 recipients with the de novo infection but was positive only in 4 donors of the remaining 54 recipients (P=0.001). HBV DNA was detected in the liver but not in the serum or PBMCs in donor 3 whose recipient developed de novo HBV infection. The nucleotide sequence covering entire genome of HBV (3,215 bases) derived from the liver of donor 3 had a homology of 99.8-100% with that derived from the serum of corresponding recipient 3. The strain of recipient 3 showed the closest association with that of the donor 3 by phylogenetic analysis. Complete sequences from two recipients with de novo HBV infection including recipient 3 conserved the basic organisation of HBV genome. Analysis of the entire nucleotide sequence of HBV genome proved that HBV existed in the liver of the donor with anti-HBc, and it caused de novo infection in the corresponding recipient.     

Polymerized alpha-antitrypsin is present on lung vascular endothelium. New insights into the biological significance of alpha-antitrypsin polymerization

AIMS: The damage to lung tissue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may involve the progressive loss of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. Endothelial binding of alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) derived from plasma has been identified, and alpha1-AT deficiency is a known genetic risk factor associated with alpha1-AT polymerization and COPD development. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to investigate if alpha1-AT is present on the lung vascular endothelium, and if it is in a polymeric form. METHODS AND RESULTS: Postmortem paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 15 COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema) cases with and without Z alpha1-AT (Glu342Lys) deficiency and from 10 cases without signs of COPD were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the streptavidin-biotin method with a monoclonal ATZ11 antibody specific for polymeric alpha1-AT, and polyclonal antibodies against human alpha1-AT and neutrophil elastase. Vascular endothelium showed intense staining for alpha1-AT with the ATZ11 antibody in all cases; however, intensity of staining in patients with alpha1-AT deficiency was greater. No endothelial staining was observed with the anti-elastase antibody. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration that alpha1-AT bound to the vascular endothelium of lungs is in a polymeric form, which also suggests a possible previously unknown role for polymeric alpha1-AT in vivo.     

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome in ABO and Rhesus D minor mismatched liver and kidney transplantation: A prospective analysis

The increasing demand for solid organs has necessitated the use of ABO and Rhesus (Rh) D minor mismatched transplants. The passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) occurs when donor lymphocytes produce antibodies that react with host red blood cell (RBC) antigens and result in hemolysis. Our aim was to evaluate prospectively the role of PLS in post transplant anemia and hemolysis in ABO and RhD minor mismatched recipients of liver and kidney grafts and to study the association of PLS with donor lymphocyte microchimerism. We examined 11 liver and 10 kidney recipients at Day +15 for anemia, markers of hemolysis, direct antiglobulin test and eluates, and serum RBC antibodies. Microchimerism was determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes by genotyping of simple sequence length polymorphisms encoding short tandem repeats. Immune hemolytic anemia and anti-recipient RBC antibodies were observed in 2 out of 11 liver (18.2%) and 2 out of 10 kidney (20%) transplants. RBC antibody specificity reflected the donor to recipient transplant, with anti-blood group B antibodies identified in 2 cases of O to B and 1 case of A to AB transplants while anti-D antibodies were detected in 1 case of RhD-negative to RhD-positive transplant. Donor microchimerism was found in only 1 patient. In conclusion, passenger lymphocyte mediated hemolysis is frequent in minor mismatched liver and kidney transplantation. Recognizing PLS as a potential cause of post transplant anemia may allow for early diagnosis and management to decrease the morbidity and mortality in some patients.     

Total and allergen-specific IgE in relation to allergic response pattern following bone marrow transplantation.

Total and allergen-specific serum IgE were measured in relation to allergic response pattern before and after bone marrow transplant (BMT) in seven sibling donor/recipient pairs. Two non-atopic recipients developed persistently raised total serum IgE levels but no apparent allergic response after BMT from non-atopic donors; three non-atopic recipients showed raised total serum IgE after BMT, with allergen-specific IgE to the same allergens as their respective atopic donors. A penicillin-tolerant recipient showed clinical sensitivity and specific IgE to penicillin after BMT from a penicillin-sensitive donor, but with this case both donor and recipient showed raised serum IgE levels. One atopic recipient showed decreased total IgE after BMT from a mildly atopic donor. These allergic response patterns could occur as a result of repopulation in the recipient with IgE-specific T lymphocytes having similar regulatory influences as in the donor. The pattern of acquired responses would also be consistent with reconstitution by primed B lymphocytes of donor origin.     

Genetic study of Tunisian Berbers. II. Alpha 1-antitrypsin (Pi) polymorphism: report of a new allele (Pi S Berber)

The alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) (Pi) polymorphism has been studied in three Berber groups of Tunisia by high-resolution isoelectric focusing. The results showed that actual Tunisian Berbers are mainly Caucasoid. A new variant of alpha 1-AT, tentatively called Pi S Berber, was found in the three Berber groups. On isoelectric focusing this variant was slightly more cathodal than the product of the usual Pi S allele. Family studies showed that the Gm-Pi linkage is probably close when the Pi locus supports the Pi P allele which is responsible for moderate (30%) serum alpha 1-AT deficiency.     

Immune mechanisms contributing to spontaneous acceptance of liver transplants in rodents and their potential for clinical transplantation

The fate of organ transplants between unrelated individuals of the same species is almost always rejection unless the recipient receives immunosuppressive drugs. Liver transplants are an exception, as in a number of animal models they are often accepted without requiring any treatment. Several mechanisms have been proposed for liver transplant acceptance, including: the vascular structure of the liver, which allows interaction between na?ve T cells and liver parenchymal cells; the atypical leukocyte populations of the liver-particularly immature dendritic cells; neutralization of rejection by donor soluble MHC antigen; establishment of microchimerism by donor hematopoietic stem cells; and death by "neglect" of recipient T cells in response to inappropriate activation by donor liver leukocytes. Although all these mechanisms may contribute to liver acceptance to some degree, an important finding is that liver acceptance appears to be mainly due to donor leukocytes transplanted with the liver. In combination with the observation of rapid T cell activation followed by their death after liver transplantation, these findings have identified a prominent role for donor leukocyte-induced deletion of liver-reactive T cells. These findings suggest novel ways to explore improved treatment for transplant patients, including the administration of donor leukocytes at the time of transplantation and the delay of some components of immunosuppressive-drug induction therapy.     

Donor origin of neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2 transplant patients determined by molecular cytogenetics

Organ transplant recipients have an increased tumor incidence owing to their immunocompromised state. The origin of such tumors, whether donor or recipient, will have a clinical impact on decision-making concerning immunosuppressive therapy, retransplantation, and for recipients of other organs from the same donors. We report molecular cytogenetic determination of donor origin in 2 cases of small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma developing in sex-mismatched transplant recipients (kidney and liver). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was performed on liver core needle biopsy material from the liver transplant patient and on liver fine needle aspiration cytopreparations from the kidney transplant patient. The results for the liver transplant patient were confirmed with microsatellite allelic analysis and with comparative genomic hybridization. In both cases, FISH showed the presence of only X chromosomes within the tumor cells, indicating the donor origin of the neoplasms. FISH is an excellent method to determine neoplastic origin in sex-mismatched transplant patients. HUM PATHOL 31:1425-1429.     

Evaluation of immune regulation in transplant patients using the trans vivo delayed type hypersensitivity assay

Allograft recipient IL-10 and/or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) dependent anti-inflammatory T-cell delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to donor derived antigens, or regulatory T-cell responses, have been demonstrated in rodents and transplant patients using a previously described trans vivo DTH assay. We used this assay to determine the incidence of recipient anti-inflammatory T-cell responses to donor antigens in a large cohort (n = 420) of primary kidney and simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant patients tested a mean of 4.8 years after transplantation. The results were compared with clinical outcomes and the presence of detectable circulating alloantibodies. We found an unexpectedly high incidence (21.9%) of this anti-inflammatory T-cell response to donor antigens in these recipients. There was a significant correlation between this T-cell phenotype and the presence of detectable circulating alloantibodies (p = 0.03). There was no correlation between this T-cell phenotype and the degree of HLA mismatch. In addition, the presence of an anti-inflammatory DTH response to donor antigens did not correlate with an improved clinical outcome at a median of nearly 5 years after transplantation. These findings suggest that detection of an anti-inflammatory T-cell response to donor antigens does not identify patients that have developed graft protective, regulatory T-cell responses.     

Increasing transplant mass results in long-term allograft survival and recovery from transplant vasculopathy

Late allograft rejection due to transplant vasculopathy continues to be a major clinical problem. Increasing the ratio of donor transplant size to recipient weight has been shown to reduce the incidence of late allograft failure. Using a murine pancreas transplant model we have tested the hypothesis that increasing the donor transplant size in a recipient can promote long-term allograft survival by promoting recovery from transplant vasculopathy. Recipients of an allograft that showed extensive vasculopathy were transplanted with a second donor transplant. The effect of the second allograft on the vasculopathy present in the first graft was measured. Transplanting a second allograft reversed all signs of ongoing rejection, including transplant vasculopathy, resulting in long-term survival of the first graft. Vasculopathy was only reversed if the first and second grafts were from the same mouse strain, suggesting an antigen-specific mechanism. However, the recovery of the first graft was not associated with antigen-specific peripheral tolerance.     

Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency and toxic shock: a Japanese autopsy case

A 74-year-old Japanese female presented with the sudden appearance of hemorrhagic purpuric ecchymoses on her lower extremities and with fever and chills, and died on the fifth day of hospitalization. A diagnosis of alpha1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency was made postmortem. The liver weighed 1260 g. Histological sections from the liver revealed rather severe fatty changes of the hepatocytic parenchyma and partial loss of the normal hepatic architecture with fibrosis. The hepatocytes contained periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive, diastase-resistant and alpha1-AT-positive intracytoplasmic globules. There was markedly increased inflammatory infiltration with severe edema and congestion, accompanied by fibrous, thickened pulmonary alveolar walls with fibrin deposition in the lungs (right, 410 g; left, 280 g), which suggest findings similar to those seen in multiple organ failure. Mild pulmonary emphysema was also present in the upper lobes of the lungs. Histological sections from the hemorrhagic necrotic ecchymoses of the skin showed marked neutrophil infiltration over the subcutaneous tissue with bleeding and blistering. A finding of thrombophlebitis was also found in the subcutaneous tissue. No bacteria were detected in the ecchymoses, the urine or the blood. Plasma protein analysis revealed a lower level (9.5 micromol/L) of alpha1-AT and a higher level (330 U) of anti-streptolysin O (ASO). These findings suggest that the patient died of toxic shock-like syndrome and that alpha1-AT deficiency might have facilitated the development of the toxic shock. To our knowledge, this is the first case of toxic shock associated with alpha1-AT deficiency.     

Fine structural observations of the liver in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Morphologic studies of liver tissue in individuals deficient in alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT) have established the presence of membrane-delimited deposits which are diastase resistant, perodic acid-Schiff positive, sialic acid deficient, and immunologically related to serum alpha-1-AT. The molecular basis for the accumulation alpha-1-AT-like substance in hepatocytes and the serum deficiency in alpha-1-AT patients is unknown.In an effort to gain insight into the membrane sites involved in the storage of the alpha-1-AT-like material, we examined liver biopsies by light and electron microscopy from 3 children with homozygous PiZZ deficiency and varying degrees of liver pathology. Contrary to the more widely held belief that accumulation occurs primarily in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, we find the earliest and greatest accumulation of alpha-1-AT-like material in smooth endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. We have combined our ultrastructural observations with the current knowledge which is available concerning the structural properties of M-type and Z-type alpha-1-AT and have proposed a model which may explain the basis for the hepatic accumulation of alpha-1-AT-like material and the serum deficiency state in the PiZZ genotypes.     

Inhibition of the Mixed Lymphocyte Culture Response by Antibody Following Successful Human Renal Transplantation

Immunoglobulin G, appearing after several months in the serum of a recipient of a successful kidney transplant from a closely matched sibling donor, was demonstrated to progressively inhibit unidirectional mixed lymphocyte cultures when donor lymphocytes were used either in responding or stimulating cell populations. The active recipient IgG had no effect in cultures in which donor cells were not used, nor did IgG obtained from other individuals show nonspecific inhibitory effects on cultures containing donor cells. It is suggested that the MLC inhibitory immunoglobulin may serve an immunoregulatory function after renal transplantation.     

Transfer of latent atopy by bone marrow transplantation? A case report

A previously healthy 8-year old girl was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, and, while she was in first remission, she received a bone marrow transplant from her atopic brother. Studies 1 to 2 years after transplantation revealed that the marrow recipient had a specific-IgE production of donor-type pattern, indicated by the similar skin prick test results and RAST scores in the donor and recipient demonstrating allergy to animal dander and house dust. The recipient's own immunity had been destroyed by the preparative regimen for marrow transplantation, and no lymphoid cells of host origin could be found after transplantation in the chromosome analysis. A sensitization of the recipient to animal dander after transplantation was very unlikely because no animal contacts were present, and the chronic liver graft-versus-host disease of the patient additionally suggested a delayed immunologic recovery. The case history suggests that atopy can be transferred by bone marrow transplantation from donor to recipient. A possible mechanism appears to be a passive transfer not only of lymphoid precursors but also of mature memory cells within the bone marrow inoculum. The donor memory B cells are presumably capable of starting specific-IgE production when the cells are stimulated in the host environment by factors still unknown.     

Examination of serum class I antigen in liver-transplanted rats

We examined the appearance of donor (DA) type class I antigen in the serum of rats that had received isogeneic (DA----DA) or allogeneic (DA----PVG, DA----BN, DA----LEW) liver transplants with or without cyclosporin A treatment, using two-site enzyme immunoassay. We also tested the serum titre of class I antigen in the normal DA rats with either 70% hepatectomy or cyclosporin A treatment, in order to clarify the relationship between the fluctuation in the serum titre of class I antigen in the recipient and the outcome of the transplanted liver graft. The suppression of liver graft rejection by cyclosporin A treatment significantly lowered the serum level of donor liver-derived class I antigen as compared with that of the recipient without cyclosporin A for a certain period. However, there was almost no correlation between the intensity of rejection of the liver graft and the serum level type class I among these allogeneic rejection and non-rejection liver transplantation combinations. The amount of donor-type class I antigen in the recipient's serum is dependent on whether the grafted liver is severely damaged following partial hepatectomy, whether the liver has associated biliary complications or ischaemic damage, or whether the liver has had absolute residual parenchymal cell volume or function following liver rejection. Our results suggest that the appearance of donor type class I antigen following liver transplantation is dependent on many factors, and therefore the titre of serum class 1 antigen may not always be a decisive indicator of liver graft rejection.     

减体积肝移植模型大鼠肝脏能量差异蛋白的表达

背景：目前,蛋白质组学是一项比较成熟的科研技术,已经在肝移植基础研究领域中初步得到应用,但在大鼠减体积肝移植相关研究中的应用未曾报道。 目的：应用蛋白质组学相关技术探讨大鼠减体积肝移植后与肝脏能量代谢蛋白相关的差异蛋白。 方法：肝移植的供体是Lewis雌性大鼠,受体是Wistar雄性大鼠,供受体体质量差约20 g;移植肝质量/受体肝质量≈50 %。采用改良减体积肝移植模型。获取供体肝组织过程中按照要求进行减体积,修整供体肝脏,将门静脉和肝下下腔静脉分别套入不同型号的套管以备套入受体的门静脉和肝下下腔静脉,胆道用细小支撑管植入供体的胆管中以备插入到受体的胆管中;最后进行受体的肝移植,受体先切除受体的原来肝脏组织,然后将准备好的供体肝脏植入受体中。造模后1,3和7 d获取移植肝脏组织,然后与预先获取冻存的供、受体肝脏组织应用蛋白组学技术建立双向凝胶电泳图谱,再利用串联质谱分析及数据库对差异表达的蛋白质点进行鉴定。 结果与结论：采用变化倍数大于10倍为标准进行差异蛋白点的选择,结果总共发现了72个差异点,通过鉴定,最终32个蛋白的功能比较明确,其中有ATP合成酶β亚基、电子转化黄素蛋白β多肽和质子转运ATP合成酶3个蛋白参与了细胞能量代谢的过程,其分布于肝移植后的第1和7天,占6%。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：肾移植;肝移植;移植;心脏移植;组织移植;皮肤移植;皮瓣移植;血管移植;器官移植;组织工程全文链接：