Immunology of corneal allograft rejection. Associated human leucocyte populations.

Human serum samples and peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes (PBML) were collected from ten corneal transplant recipients over a two-year period at intervals before and after surgery, and during and after episodes of immunologic (rejection) reaction. Serum was monitored for the development of antibodies to histocompatibility antigens and PBML were stained with a panel of monoclonal reagents specific for T cell and for monocyte populations using indirect immunofluorescence. Patients who demonstrated an elevation in the Leu 2a+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cell population following an immunologic reaction ultimately accepted their grafts, whereas patients whose Leu 2a+ population was unaffected developed irreversible graft clouding. Additionally, a direct positive correlation between the development of elevated levels of lymphocytotoxic antibodies and helper T cells was noted in some patients during immunologic reactions. Neither DR-positive nor monocyte population changes demonstrated any consistent correlation with rejection episodes or final graft outcome.