Graft-versus-host disease: the need for a new terminology

摘要: For some decades, graft-versus-host (GVH) reactions seemed readily comprehensible. It was generally accepted that after introduction of immunocompetent, histoincompatible lymphocytes into an immunodeficient host the grafted would start a 'rejection' response against their host. As result, GVH disease developed. Acute might result in death and survivors became chimaeras with varying pathology--chronic disease. In recent years, however, intriguing exceptions to general rules for development have been reported. These exceptions, particularly activation by stimuli other than histocompatibility barriers prompted Gerard Bos colleagues propose this change terminology.