Objective: To explore the mRNA expression of perforin and granzyme B genes activated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) for monitoring early acute rejection after liver transplantation.
Methods: The mRNA expression of perforin and granzyme B genes in grafts after gold hamster to rat liver transplantation was examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Histological findings were studied comparatively, and isogenic rat liver transplantation was the control.
Results: The mRNA expression of perforin and granzyme B genes began to be up-regulated on the day 3 after transplantation, when no histologic evidence of rejection was found. Levels of expression significantly increased after day 4 and persisted through the whole course of rejection. In contrast, the control group showed no expression of mRNA for perforin and granzyme B.
Conclusions: The determination of mRNA expression of perforin and granzyme B genes are useful to early diagnosis of acute rejection of liver transplantation.