Myofibroblast involvement in chronic transplant rejection

Abstract

Background. Chronic rejection remains the major cause of late graft failure. We studied the renal tissue of 10 renal transplant patients with chronic rejection in whom biopsies had been performed at various time points over a 15-year posttransplant period to ascertain whether myofibroblasts (MF) have a role in this process. Methods. Biopsies were grouped into five categories with respect to time after vascular anastomosis: 0 (n=10); 1 day to 3 months (n=7); 6-24 months (n=5); 36-72 months (n=7); and >72 months (n=5). A control group consisted of patients who had undergone routine biopsies at 0 (n=10), 3 (n=10), 12 (n=6), 60 (n=5), and >60 months (n=6) with no rejection. MF were identified by..