Alloimmunity-induced autoimmunity as a potential mechanism in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection of human lung allografts

Deepti Saini, Joseph Weber, Sabarinathan Ramachandran, Donna Phelan, Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi, Michael Liu, Nancy Steward, Aviva Aloush, Ramsey Hachem, Elbert Trulock, Bryan Meyers, G. Alexander Patterson, Thalachallour Mohanakumar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LTx). We sought to better understand the relationship between alloimmune responses and autoimmunity and, subsequently, how autoimmunity leads to chronic rejection. Methods: We analyzed the development of donor-specific antibodies (Abs) in LTx by flow PRA and the development of Abs to K-α1 tubulin (K-α1T) and collagen V (ColV) by ELISA. The frequency of K-α1T- and ColV-specific T cells that secrete IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-10 in LTx recipients was measured by ELISPOT. Results: In a retrospective analysis of 42 LTx recipients, we demonstrated a strong correlation between development of donor-specific anti-HLA Abs, Abs to self-antigens and BOS (p < 0.05). To test the hypothesis that alloimmunity is related to an immune response to self-antigens, we analyzed 103 LTx patients prospectively for the development of donor-specific Abs (DSA) and Abs to self-antigens. A total of 42.7% of recipients developed DSA and 30.1% developed Abs to K-α1T and ColV. Development of DSA preceded development of Abs to self-antigens. BOS+ patients had higher frequency of T cells secreting IL-17 (p < 0.01) and IFN-γ (p < 0.05) with decreased IL-10 (p < 0.05) when compared with BOS- patients. Conclusions: Based on these results we propose that alloimmune responses to donor HLA can induce autoimmune responses to airway epithelial self-antigens, characterized by activation of the IL-17 pathway. These immune responses to self-antigens along with alloimmunity contribute to the pathogenesis of BOS. Strategies to prevent development of autoimmunity may be play a key role in preventing the development of chronic rejection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)624-631
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Volume30
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the NIH/NHLBI (ARRA Award HL056643 to T.M.). The authors thank Billie Glasscock for assistance with preparation and submission of the manuscript.

Keywords

  • alloimmunity
  • autoimmunity
  • chronic rejection
  • donor specific antibodies
  • lung transplantation

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