T‐Lymphocyte Subsets and HLA‐DR‐Expressing Cells in Rejected Human Kidney Grafts

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Abstract
This communication describes an immunohistochemical analysis of rejected human renal allografts. T‐lymphocyte subsets were identified in frozen tissue sections, by Leu 1 (anti‐ ‘pan’ T lymphocytes). Leu 2a (anti‐ ‘cytotoxic/suppressor’ T cells), and Leu 3a (anti‐ ‘helper/inducer’ T cells) monoclonal antibodies. In addition, HLA‐DR‐positive cells were identified by simultaneous labelling with heterologous anti‐HLA‐DR antibodies. T cells dominated the cellular infiltrates in acute cellular rejection. Leu‐3a‐positive cells were more numerous than Leu‐2a‐positive cells. The Leu‐3a‐positive cells usually appeared in clusters, whereas the Leu‐2a‐positive cells appeared scattered in the tissue. HLA‐DR‐positive non‐T cells were found within clusters of T ‘helper/inducer’ cells. The cell pattern shares many features with the findings in detayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions.

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