Apoptosis and hepatitis C virus infection in renal transplant recipients
Date
2008Author
Delladetsima, I.Psichogiou, M.
Alexandrou, P.
Nikolopoulos, Georgios K.
Revenas, K.
Hatzakis, A.
Boletis, J.
Source
American Journal of Clinical PathologyVolume
129Issue
5Pages
744-748Google Scholar check
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Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Hepatocellular injury in renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unclear. The suppressed immune response, in combination with increased viremia levels, provides a unique setting for the study of a potential HCV-induced apoptotic process. Liver biopsy specimens from 59 HCV-infected renal transplant recipients were examined histologically. DNA fragmentation was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labeling assay, and the CD8 T-cell count was assessed immunohistochemically.A low apoptotic index (0-2.5) was observed in 31 cases, a moderate index (2.6-5) in 16, and a high index (>5) in 12. Apoptotic cell death correlated significantly with viremia because it was demonstrated by higher HCV-RNA levels in cases with a high number of apoptotic cells (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-8.5; P = .04). No correlation was found between the apoptotic index and hepatitis necroinflammatory activity, CD8 cell count, fibrosis stage, immunosuppressive therapy, or genotype. In HCV-infected renal transplant recipients, apoptotic cell death seems to be associated with high viral load, thus providing indications of viral interference in the pathogenetic process. © American Society for Clinical Pathology.