Characterization of epithelial apoptosis in biopsies of small-bowel allografts using cleaved caspase 3 immunostaining

Geoffrey A. Talmon, Quinn M. Saigh, Dominick Dimaio, James L. Wisecarver, Stanley J. Radio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. The diagnosis of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in small-bowel allograft biopsies depends in part on quantification of crypt apoptotic bodies (ABs). The definition of ABs varies between authors. Recently, immunoperoxidase stains specific for apoptotic material have been used in paraffin-embedded tissue. The aim was to characterize AB morphology and quantify ABs using immunoperoxidase and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Methods. Allograft biopsies with diagnoses of negative for ACR, indeterminate for ACR, and mild ACR were selected. Sections were stained for cleaved caspase 3 (CC3). The number of ABs per 10 crypt epithelial cells was compared by H&E and CC3 staining. Results. A total of 39 cases (15 negative, 12 indeterminate, 12 mild ACR) were obtained. CC3 staining revealed that ABs varied from well-developed "classical" exploding crypt cells to intraepithelial clusters of basophilic material. In 61%, the number detected by CC3 was higher than on H&E stains (mean 4.30 and 3.56; P <.002), with good overall correlation. With the latter definition, AB numbers by H&E were significantly higher in most cases (72%), with the diagnosis of mild ACR being downgraded in 50% if only classical ABs were counted. Conclusions. ABs have a range of morphology in biopsies of intestinal allografts, and H&E identifies the majority. The results suggest that AB counts should include basophilic clusters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)482-487
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume18
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • apoptosis
  • cleaved caspase 3
  • rejection
  • small intestine
  • transplantation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Surgery
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterization of epithelial apoptosis in biopsies of small-bowel allografts using cleaved caspase 3 immunostaining'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this