Migration of dendritic cells in orthotopic rat liver transplantation / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate migration of dendritic cells(DC)in orthotopic rat liver transplantation models.Methods Allogeneic models(Wistar→SD,experimental group)and syngenic models(Wistar→Wistar,control group)of rat liver transplantation were established.Graft livers and host celiac lymph nodes(n=4)of each group were sampled respectively at day 3,5,and 7 after the transplantation.The acute rejection was graded according to liver histopathological changes.The dy- namic state of DC number within graft and lymph nodes was detected by means of immunohistochemi- cal staining and image analysis.T-cell active proliferative response in lymph nodes was also studied. Results The histological examination revealed that mild to severe rejection occurred on the post-opera- tive days 5 and 7.At day 3 after transplantation,the number of S-100~+ DC in allograft was signifi- cantly increased and reached the peak at day 5,then decreased gradually at day 7.A significant num- ber of S-100~+ cells was detected in the allogeneic host lymph nodes from day 3 after transplantation, and displayed a continuous increasing trend for next several days.Active proliferation of T cells in the lymph nodes was triggered as early as day 3 after transplantation.Conclusion Allogeneic liver trans- plantation induces the accelerated migration of DC within the allograft and host lymphoid nodes.DC delivers a strong and sustained stimulation among T cells in the lymphoid nodes where effector cells are predominantly sensitized and rejected the graft eventually.