Antivascular endothelial cell antibody--its role in transplantation.

Sera samples from eight different groups of patients were tested for the presence of circulating antibody (IgG) directed against vascular endothelial cell antigens. The indirect immunofluorescent method which used either whole blood vessels or single endothelial cells as targets was compared to lymphocytotoxicity panels. The indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFA) consistently detected antibody in sera samples which were negative for lymphocytotoxic activity, and the presence of IFA antibody to vascular endothelial cells had a much better correlation with both clinical course and renal allograft rejection than did the lymphocytotoxicity panels. Single vascular endothelial cells appeared to be a more sensitive target for the detection of IFA antibody than did whole vessels. Preliminary absorption studies suggest that cell-specific as well as HL-A antigens play a role in the immunological response to vascular endothelial cells.