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Immunohistochemical staining of liver grafts with a monoclonal antibody against HCV‐Envelope 2 for recurrent hepatitis C after living donor liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Sadamori Hiroshi,
Yagi Takahito,
Iwagaki Hiromi,
Matsuda Hiroaki,
Shinoura Susumu,
Umeda Yuzo,
Ohara Nobuya,
Yanai Hiroyuki,
Ogino Tetsuya,
Tanaka Noriaki
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05638.x
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , liver biopsy , immunohistochemistry , biopsy , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , monoclonal antibody , pathology , transplantation , gastroenterology , antibody , immunology , virus
Aim: We evaluated the expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen on liver grafts by immunohistochemical staining (IHS) using IG222 monoclonal antibody (mAb) against HCV‐envelope 2 (E2). Methods: The study material was 84 liver biopsy specimens obtained from 28 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCV infection. The biopsy samples were examined histopathologically, and by IHS using IG222 mAb against HCV‐E2. Serum HCV‐RNA level was measured in all patients. The IHS grades were compared among the three groups classified according to the time elapsed from LDLT (at 1–30, 31–179 and ≥180 days post‐LDLT) and among four post‐transplant conditions, including acute cellular rejection (ACR). Results: Immunoreactivity to IG222 was detected in 78.6% of the specimens obtained during the first month after LDLT, and there were no significant differences on the IHS grades between the three groups classified according to the time elapsed from LDLT. The IHS grades were significantly stronger in definite recurrent HCV ( n = 12) and probable recurrent HCV ( n = 7) than in definite ACR ( n = 7) and other complications ( n = 8). There were no significant differences in serum HCV‐RNA levels among the four post‐transplant conditions. There was no significant correlation between the IHS grades using IG222 mAb and serum HCV‐RNA levels when data of 84 liver biopsy specimens were analyzed. Conclusions: Constant HCV‐E2 expression was observed in liver biopsy specimens obtained 1 month or longer. The strong HCV‐E2 expression on liver grafts were associated with recurrent hepatitis C after LDLT, but the serum HCV‐RNA levels were not.