Search

The polymorphism of the coagulation factor XIIIA and B subunits was determined before and after bone marrow or liver transplantation. It could be shown that the FXIIIA phenotype of the recipient was replaced by donor phenotype after bone marrow transplantation, whereas the phenotype of FXIIIB remained of recipient origin. In contrast, the FXIIIB phenotype changed to donor type after orthotopic liver transplantation but not the FXIIIA phenotype. The results indicate that the FXIIIA protein is produced in hemopoiesis, most likely in megakaryocytes and FXIIIB protein in the liver. Depending on the site of synthesis, FXIII alleles can be used as a marker in engraftment of FXIIIA-incompatible bone marrow transplantation or as a marker in FXIIIB-incompatible orthotopic liver transplantation.

C4 polymorphism was investigated in 13 orthotopic liver transplantations. It could be shown that recipient C4 phenotype disappears after transplantation and is replaced by donor phenotype on days 10-19 posttransplantation. This indicates that C4 is mainly produced in the liver. The delayed appearance of donor C4 phenotype compared with other complement components produced in the liver cannot be explained by different rates of synthesis or serum protein levels. The limited number of patients investigated in this study does not permit assessment of the role of C4, C3, Bf, and HLA-A, B, and DR in orthotopic liver transplantation.