Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), a useful marker for inflammatory diseases, is not always sensitive to inflammatory reaction in the liver or other tissues. The aim of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific method for detecting inflammatory responses associated with transplant rejection. Methods: We developed a new, highly sensitive ELISA system for the measurement of serum human myeloidrelated protein complex (MRP8/14), using monoclonal antibodies against MRP8/14, and applied it to specimens obtained from patients undergoing small intestine or liver transplantation. Results: This assay could detect MRP8/14 concentrations as low as 2 g/L. Within-run CVs were 3.7-6.1% and between-day CVs were 5.6 -8.7% for MRP8/14 concentrations of 117-3300 g/L. Mean recovery was 104% (range, 80 -128%). We observed a marked increase in serum MRP8/14 postoperatively in most recipients of transplants, followed by an increase in CRP 1-7 days after the increase in the complex. The increase in serum MRP8/14 occurred simultaneously with permeation of lymphocytes into the transplanted tissues as a result of rejection of the graft tissues. Conclusions: Accurate measurement of serum MRP8/14 provides a useful clinical diagnostic method tool for
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