Expression of MHC class II antigens on bile duct epithelium in experimental graft versus host disease.

Recently we observed the expression of MHC class II antigens on bile duct epithelium in human liver transplantation rejection. In this report we present evidence for the expression of MHC class II antigens on bile duct epithelium in experimental GVHD. These findings support the idea, that the target tissue elements in liver transplantation rejection and GVHD are the bile ducts, on the other hand this is a new experimental model for the analysis of MHC class II antigen expression on epithelial tissue.