Variation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha during acute rejection after liver transplantation in a rhesus monkey / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Tumor necrosis factor-αis an inflammatory cytokine involved in the immune response and increasing graft antigen expression. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-αin the liver tissue and acute rejection after liver transplantation in a rhesus monkey. METHODS:Liver transplant models in rhesus monkey were constructed by the improved vascular dual cuff, supporting tube of biliary tract and artery anastomosis method. The successful models were randomly divided into experimental group (no immunosuppressant treatment in perioperative period) and control group (treated by immunosuppressant in perioperative period). Then the blood samples and liver tissue were col ected at 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours after surgery. Al ograft rejections of liver transplantation were monitored by liver function tests, hematoxylin-eosin staining and Banff score. Final y, the expression level of tumor necrosis factor-αwas detected by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The expression of tumor necrosis factor-αin the experimental group and control group began to increase at 6 hours, reached the peak at 12 hours, and then decreased at 24-72 hours. The changes of expression level were the most obvious in the experimental group. At 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-αin the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). This change appeared earlier than pathological changes in the liver and liver function. Variations in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-αafter liver transplantation have important implications for early diagnosis of acute rejection after liver transplantation.