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The Pathophysiology of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease

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Abstract

The pathophysiology of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a complex process that can be conceptualized in three phases. In the first phase, high-dose chemoradiotherapy causes damage to host tissues, including a self-limited burst of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin 1. These cytokines activate host antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In the second phase, donor T-cells recognize alloantigens on host APCs. These activated T-cells then proliferate, differentiate into effector cells, and secrete cytokines, particularly interferon (IFN)-γ. In the third phase, target cells undergo apoptosis mediated by cellular effectors (eg, donor cytotoxic T-lymphocytes) and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. TNF-α secretion is amplified by stimuli such as endotoxin that leaks across damaged gastrointestinal mucosa injured by the chemoradiotherapy in the first phase. TNF-α and IFN-γ cause further injury to gastrointestinal epithelium, causing more endo-toxin leakage and establishing a positive inflammatory feedback loop. These events are examined in detail in the following review.Int J Hematol. 2003;78:181-187. 2003 The Japanese Society of Hematology

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Cancer Center, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    James L. M. Ferrara, Kenneth R. Cooke & Takanori Teshima

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  1. James L. M. Ferrara
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  2. Kenneth R. Cooke
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  3. Takanori Teshima
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Correspondence to James L. M. Ferrara.

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Ferrara, J.L.M., Cooke, K.R. & Teshima, T. The Pathophysiology of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease. Int J Hematol 78, 181–187 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02983793

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02983793

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