Antibodies targeting surface membrane antigens in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

ABSTRACT: Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant reflects a complex immune response resulting in chronic damage to multiple tissues. Previous studies indicated that donor B cells and the antibodies they produce play an important role in the development of cGVHD. To understand the pathogenic role of antibodies in cGVHD, we focused our studies on posttransplant production of immunoglobulin G antibodies targeting cell surface antigens expressed in multiple cGVHD affected tissues, due to their potential functional impact on living cells in vivo. Using plate-bound cell membrane proteins as targets, we detected a significantly higher level of antibodies reactive with these membrane antigens in patients who developed cGVHD, compared with those who did

SUBMITTER: Wang KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5746671 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature