HLA class-I-soluble antigen serum levels in liver transplantation. A predictor marker of acute rejection.

The serum levels of sHLA-I have been determined in 16 patients following liver transplantation. sHLA-I levels did not show remarkable variations in six patients without evidence of transplant-related complications. sHLA-I levels strongly increased in 10 patients undergoing acute rejection episodes. In these patients, an average 20% daily increase of sHLA-I levels was detected on the 6 days preceding and on the 2 days following the rejection episode. A fast decrease of sHLA-I levels was observed in seven patients following treatment of acute rejection with anti-CD3 mAb. The serum level of sHLA-I antigens positively correlated with ALT serum level and inversely correlated with PT. The determination of sHLA-I in serum may therefore be proposed as a useful marker in the monitoring of patients following liver transplantation. The increase of sHLA-I antigens may predict the onset of acute rejection whereas their decrease may be related to a good response of acute rejection to immunosuppressive treatment.