EXPRESSION OF CELL ADHESION MOLECULES AND COMPLEMENT RECEPTORS IN DIAGNOSTICS OF TRANSPLANTED HEART REJECTION

Aim. Characterization of the changes in expression of cell adhesion molecules and complement receptors in the transplanted heart rejection using computer morphometry to improve the quality of endomyocardial biopsy diagnostics.

Materials and methods. Endomyocardial biopsies of 20 patients undergoing cardiac transplantation were used. Histological sections were stained using a standard procedure with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as an indirect immunohistochemical method with the ABC detection system against CD21 and CD31. The area of the positive reaction was estimated with computer morphometry.

Results. All biopsies are divided according to the degrees of rejection as follows: degree 0R – 8 samples, 1R – 10 samples, 2R – 7 samples, 3R – 4 samples. CD21 expression is 0.31% in samples with 0R, 1.09% at 1R, 2R rejection of 2.01%, and for 3R – 4.15%. The area occupied by CD31-positive cells is 3.49% in 0R, at 1R rejection this index decreases by 1.3 times, in biopsy samples with 2R this index is 1.8 times less, and for samples with 3R it decreases by 2.6 times.

Conclusion. Evaluation of CD21-positive cells in the myocardium allows us to predict cardiosclerosis, as well as a tendency to a chronic clinical course of the rejection. Expression of CD31 makes it possible to assess condition of the microcirculatory vessels in the graft, which is also important for the heart failure prevention.