Complement activation is not required for obliterative airway disease induced by antibodies to major histocompatibility complex class I: Implications for chronic lung rejection

Complement activation by Abs to MHC class I is not required for development of OAD and human BOS. Therefore, anti-MHC binding to epithelial and endothelial cells can directly activate pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory cascades leading to immune response to self-antigens and chronic rejection.