Adhesion molecules in patients after lung transplantation

Leukocyte adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and its ligands, are involved in inflammatory processes of the lung. For ICAM-1, differential expression during different kinds of complications after transplantation has been proposed. We analyzed the role of ICAM-1, CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c during episodes of rejection or infection in patients after lung transplantation and compared the results to episodes without apparent complication. A total of 98 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples and 90 serum samples were analyzed. ICAM-1, CD18, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c expressions were detected immunocytochemically on alveolar macrophages. Soluble ICAM-1 was quantified in serum and BAL. In the control group, 49.8 +/- 18% of macrophages stained positive for CD11b. During rejection, the mean of cells showing CD11b on the surface was significantly higher (64.6 +/- 11.4%), with no difference compared to episodes of infection (59.7 +/- 22.7). All other epitopes were not expressed differently with regard to a normal clinical course or episodes of infection and rejections. In summary, assessment of ICAM-1 and corresponding ligands did not allow for a reliable discrimination between episodes of rejection or infection in lung transplantation.