PERFORIN AND GRANZYME-B EXPRESSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE ACUTE REJECTION - EVIDENCE FOR IN-SITU LOCALIZATION IN ALVEOLAR LYMPHOCYTES OFLUNG-TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS

To evaluate rejection episodes in lung-transplanted patients, we analy zed 31 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens for lymphocyte levels and lymp hocyte expression of two intracytoplasmic activation markers, perforin , the pore-forming lytic protein, and granzyme E, a member of the seri ne esterase family. Using antihuman granzyme B and perforin mAbs, we s how that their expression in alveolar lymphocytes is correlated with t he severity of rejection as assessed by histological parameters and th e patients' clinical status. The presence of these molecules may provi de a prognostic parameter that will facilitate the patients' monitorin g, particularly in cases with minimal acute lung rejection susceptible to rapid progression to severe rejection.