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Hemosiderin‐laden macrophages: a marker for sub‐clinical graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GVHD) after bone marrow transplantation
Author(s) -
Lefebvre Daniel R.,
Tai Chau,
Matthews Martha,
Strande Louise F.,
Marra Steven,
Hewitt Charles W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a767-a
Subject(s) - hemosiderin , histopathology , subclinical infection , medicine , bone marrow , graft versus host disease , pathology , transplantation , complication , disease , immunology
Acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of bone marrow transplantation. Overt histopathological findings in GVHD are well documented. However, histopathology of subclinical GVHD is uncertain. We have been studying a new type of bone marrow transplant in rats that can facilitate tolerance induction without overt GVHD. It was hypothesized that subclinical GVHD may be induced. The model, known as a vascularized bone marrow transplant (iVBMT), involves the microsurgical transplantation of a bone marrow composite graft. Methods: Lewis‐Brown‐Norway (LBN) rats received 900 rads radiation. Rats then received either a conventional cellular (cBMT, n=5) or iVBMT (n=4). After 110 days, organ histopathology was studied by digital image analysis. Results: There was a significant increased concentration of hemosiderin found within the splenic of cBMT rats compared to iVBMT rats (mean ISI 11.75 vs. 8.27; p=0.009). Conclusion: The increased concentration of hemosiderin‐laden macrophages in spleens of cBMT rats compared to iVBMT rats may represent sub‐clinical GVHD in which red blood cells are being destroyed due to the disease process. No evidence of sub‐clinical GVHD was present in the iVBMT group. This supports previous findings suggesting that an iVBMT modulates GVHD and induces tolerance through an undefined mechanism. Supported by American Heart Association Grant #0555795T. Dr Hewitt is recipient of the Ellen Marmer research fellowship from the AHA for 2006.