Graft-versus-host disease historical perspective
Graft-versus-host disease |
Differentiating Graft-versus-host disease from other Diseases |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Shyam Patel [2]
Overview
The history of GvHD dates back to the 1910s, when an immunologic reaction was observed in chick embryos. Since that time, many advances have been made with regards to our understanding of the disease.
Historical Perspective
GvHD was recognized many years ago in the 1950s.
- In 1916, GvHD was first observed at the Rockefeller Institute in New York City. An immunologic reaction was noticed after engrafting adult chicken tissue containing T cells onto the chorioamnionic membrane of chick embryos.[1] At that time, the concept of T cells was in its infancy. Prior to that time, there was no suggestion of a link between GvHD and T cells.[1]
- In 1957, Billingham and Brent noticed unexpected findings. They noticed that mice who were chimeric were becoming very sick and were termed "runts." It was eventually discovered that immunocompetent cells from neonatal inocula could migrate to areas of host lymphoid tissue and mount an attack.[1] In the same year, Morton Simonsen showed evidence of GvHD in chickens. He had injected allogeneic lymphoid cells into chick embryos.[1]
- In 1959, the work done by Billingham and Brent work was published.