Expression of cell‐matrix molecules and integrin receptors in human liver grafts during chronic rejection

Abstract The inflammatory response of immune cells to target cells and cell‐matrix molecules is regulated by several receptor‐ligand molecules. As fibrosis develops in ongoing chronic rejection after liver transplantation, it is of interest to analyze patterns of integrin receptors and cell‐matrix molecules in order to study the relation between immune cells and the stromal and parenchymal cells. In the present study, we demonstrated the expression of these molecules in chronic rejected human liver grafts using immunohistochemical techniques. The results showed a differential expression and induction of integrin receptors and cell‐matrix molecules on resident liver cells, especially on sinusoids, reflecting a state of chronic inflammation and a specific interaction between integrin receptors and cell‐matrix molecules. The patterns of induced integrin receptors on graft‐infiltrating cells was closely related to the local production of cell‐matrix molecules and reflected the final sequence of a stepwise progress of the inflammatory reaction.