Late graft dysfunction after prolonged cold ischemia of the donor kidney: inhibition by cyclosporine.

BACKGROUND: The present study was devised to elucidate the influence of prolonged cold ischemia on the development of chronic transplant dysfunction (CTD) in kidney isografts (Brown Norway-->Brown Norway; BN-->BN) and in kidney allografts (BN-->Wistar Agouti/ Rij [WAG]) under temporary cyclosporine (CsA) therapy. METHODS: To induce ischemic injury, BN donor kidneys were preserved for 24 hr in 4 degrees C University of Wisconsin solution before transplantation. Renal function (proteinuria), histomorphology according to the BANFF criteria for CTD, and infiltrating cells were assessed. Grafts were examined both early at days 2, 3, 6, and 10, and late at week 26 (allografts) or at week 52 (isografts). RESULTS: Nonischemic isografts preserved a normal function and morphology. Ischemic isografts developed a progressive proteinuria over time and demonstrated significantly more glomerulopathy with macrophage (Me) infiltration and intimal hyperplasia than nonischemic controls at week 52. During the initial 10 days, there was an increased infiltration of MHC class II+ cells, predominantly CD4+ cells and Mphi, coinciding with up-regulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. CsA treatment in ischemic isografts inhibited infiltration of MHC II+ cells in the early stage, which was accompanied by significantly less renal damage at week 52 compared with untreated controls (proteinuria: 59+/-8 vs. 134+/-19 mg/24 hr; BANFF score: 2.8+/-0.4 vs. 4.3+/-1.0). Under CsA therapy, 24-hr cold ischemia of the allograft affected neither the onset or progress of proteinuria, nor the histomorphology (BANFF score: 7.8+/-2.4 vs. 7.3+/-1.9). In both ischemic and nonischemic allografts, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and mononuclear cell infiltration (CD4, CD8, Mphi was abundantly present during the first 10 days and function deteriorated rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged cold ischemia plays a role in the induction of CTD, but its deleterious effect can be successfully inhibited by CsA. Therefore, the alloantigeneic stimulus is the overriding component in the multifactorial pathogenesis of CTD.     

Altered intragraft immune responses and improved renal function in MHC class II-deficient mouse kidney allografts

BACKGROUND: During renal allograft rejection, expression of MHC class II antigens is up-regulated on the parenchymal cells of the kidney. This up-regulation of MHC class II proteins may stimulate the intragraft alloimmune response by promoting their recognition by recipient CD4+ T cells. In previous studies, absence of donor MHC class II antigens did not affect skin graft survival, but resulted in prolonged survival of cardiac allografts. METHODS: To further explore the role of MHC class II antigens in kidney graft rejection, we performed vascularized kidney transplants using donor kidneys from A(beta)b-deficient mice that lack MHC class II expression. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after transplant, GFR was substantially depressed in control allografts (2.18+/-0.46 ml/min/kg) compared to nonrejecting isografts (7.98+/-1.62 ml/min/kg; P<0.01), but significantly higher in class II- allografts (4.38+/-0.60 ml/min/kg; P<0.05). Despite the improvement in renal function, class II- allograft demonstrated histologic features of acute rejection, not unlike control allografts. However, morphometric analysis at 1 week after transplantation demonstrated significantly fewer CD4+ T cells infiltrating class II- allografts (12.8+/-1.2 cells/mm2) compared to controls (25.5+/-2.6 cells/mm2; P=0.0007). Finally, the intragraft profile of cytokines was altered in class II- allografts, with significantly reduced expression of Th2 cytokine mRNA compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results support a role of MHC class II antigens in the kidney regulating immune cells within the graft. Further, effector pathways triggered by class II antigens promote renal injury during rejection.     

Transplantation of a single kidney per se does not lead to late graft dysfunction

In unraveling the pathogenesis of chronic transplant dysfunction (CTD), non-alloantigen specific factors, as ischemia/reperfusion and renal mass have been suggested to play a role in the process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the transplantation procedure per se on the development of CTD in a syngeneic kidney transplant model in the rat. Kidney transplantation was performed with the BN rat as donor and recipient, the recipient kidneys having been removed. Unilaterally nephrectomized (UNx) and native BN rats served as controls. Renal function was determined monthly (proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate/100 g body weight; GFR). The follow-up period was until 52 weeks post-transplantation. Histomorphological analysis of CTD according to the BANFF criteria was carried out. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify infiltrating cells (CD4, CD8, and ED1) and the expression of MHC class II and ICAM-1. Isografts had a minor, constant proteinuria during follow-up, which did not differ from that of UNx: 27 +/- 10 vs. 29 +/- 2 mg/24 h at week 52. Unilateral nephrectomy led to a significant reduction of the GFR, which was about 80% of that of native rats. The GFR of isografts did not differ from that of UNx rats. Histomorphology of renal isografts was comparable to UNx and native kidneys; some glomerulopathy and tubular atrophy leading to a total BANFF-score of 2.6 +/- 0.5. In native BN kidneys, few CD4+ cells and ED-1+macrophages (mphi) were found; MHC class II was constitutively expressed on the proximal tubules and ICAM-1 on the glomeruli and peritubular capillaries. UNx-kidneys showed a similar pattern. Isografts had significantly more CD4+ cells and Mphi, mainly localized in the glomeruli, and a more intense ICAM-1 expression in the glomeruli and interstitium. Transplantation of one kidney in itself does not lead to CTD.     

The effects of cyclosporine on the induction of donor class I and class II MHC antigens in heart and kidney allografts in the rat

We have previously reported 5-30-fold increases in the expression of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in rejecting heart and kidney allografts in the DA-to-PVG rat strain combination. We examine here the effects of immunosuppression with cyclosporine on the induction of donor class I and class II MHC antigens in heart and kidney allografts in this strain combination. Immunohistological studies and quantitative absorption analyses using monoclonal antibodies and assay systems specific for donor class I and class II MHC antigens were used throughout. Heart allografts in cyclosporine-treated rats were examined on day 3,5,7,9,11, and 14 after transplantation, and kidney allografts in cyclosporine-treated rats were examined at day 7. In addition, untreated heart and kidney isografts were studied at days 1,3,5, and 7 after grafting. Immunohistological studies on frozen sections showed that cyclosporine-treated heart and kidney allografts showed no induction of class II MHC antigens, in contrast to untreated heart and kidney allografts. Class I MHC antigen induction did occur in spite of cyclosporine-therapy, but at levels lower than those seen in untreated allografts. Moreover, the pattern and degree of class I induction in the cyclosporine-treated allografts resembled very closely those seen in isografts, and so this induction was, in all probability, a consequence of the transplantation procedure rather than of specific immune responses. We also noted, in the cyclosporine-treated heart allografts, that all donor interstitial dendritic cells had disappeared and been replaced by recipient interstitial dendritic cells by the end of the second week after grafting. In addition, there was no reduction in the class II antigen content of kidney allografts treated for 7 days with cyclosporine. The absence of class II antigen induction in allografts where rejection is effectively suppressed with cyclosporine might be of clinical value in the differential diagnosis between rejection and cyclosporine toxicity in renal transplantation, and between active and inactive cellular infiltrates in heart transplantation.     

Beyond operational tolerance: effect of ischemic injury on development of chronic damage in renal grafts

BACKGROUND: The induction of operational tolerance is the holy grail of clinical transplantation. However, in animal models with operational tolerance, long- term grafts still develop chronic damage. The elucidation of the impact of allogenic versus nonallogeneic factors in such a model is important. This study examined the effect of a clinically relevant combination of warm ischemia and cold preservation in the absence of allogeneic response (isografts) and in the context of operational tolerance. METHODS: Dark Agouti (DA) rat kidneys were transplanted into DA recipients (isografts) or Albino Surgery recipients (allografts) tolerized by two transfusions of DA blood, under cover of cyclosporin A. Grafts were subjected to minimal cold preservation or to 30 mins warm ischemia followed by 24 hrs cold preservation. RESULTS: After an initial peak of renal dysfunction, serum creatinine concentration returned to normal in isografts and nonischemic allografts, but remained significantly elevated in ischemic allografts (P<0.0002) throughout 6 months follow-up. Both allograft groups developed proteinuria. At 6 months, ischemic isografts and nonischemic allografts demonstrated very mild tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Tubulointerstitial injury was significantly more severe in ischemic allografts (P<0.01 vs. nonischemic allografts) and was associated with increased infiltrating monocyte/macrophages and NK cells (P<0.05). Moderate glomerulosclerosis was a feature of both allograft groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified allogeneic response in operationally tolerant recipients acts in synergy with ischemia/reperfusion injury in the development of chronic damage. Strategies to limit or modify the initial ischemia/reperfusion injury may ameliorate chronic tubulointerstitial damage. Progressive glomerular damage and proteinuria in allografts may require other pharmacological intervention.     

Macrophage-derived interleukin-18 in experimental renal allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is primarily a macrophage-derived, pro-inflammatory cytokine. As macrophages can act as effector cells in acute rejection, we examined the role of IL-18 in a rat model of acute renal allograft rejection. METHODS: Life-sustaining orthotopic DA to Lewis allograft and Lewis-Lewis isograft kidney transplants were performed. In the same model, macrophage-depleted animals, achieved with liposomal-clodronate therapy, were also studied. Macrophage (ED1+) accumulation and IL-18 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. CD11b+ cells (macrophages) were isolated from kidney and spleen by micro beads. Real-time PCR was used to assess IL-18 and INF-gamma mRNA expression in tissue and cell isolates. RESULTS: Allografts, but not isografts, developed severe tubulo-interstitial damage and increased serum creatinine by day 5 (P<0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed a greater ED1+ cell accumulation in day 5 allografts compared with isografts (P<0.001). IL-18 mRNA expression was increased 3-fold in allografts compared to isografts (P<0.001). Accordingly, IL-18 protein was increased in allografts (P<0.001), and was predominantly expressed by ED1+ macrophages. CD11b+ macrophages isolated from allografts had a 6-fold upregulation of IL-18 mRNA expression compared to isograft macrophages (P<0.001). Macrophage depletion resulted in a marked attenuation of allograft rejection, ED1+ and IL-18+ cells were significantly reduced (P<0.05) as was IL-18 mRNA expression (29.28+/-2.85 vs 62.48+/-3.05, P<0.001). INF-gamma mRNA expression (P<0.01) and iNOS (P<0.001) production were also significantly reduced in the macrophage-depleted animals. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that IL-18 is significantly increased during acute rejection and is principally produced by intra-graft macrophages. We hypothesize that IL-18 upregulation may be an important macrophage effector mechanism during the acute rejection process.     

Islet Allograft Rejection in Rats: A Time Course Study Characterizing Adhesion Molecule Expression,MHC Expression,and Infiltrate Immunophenotypes

Wistar Furth (RT1^u) islets transplanted under the renal capsules of streptozotocin-diabetic Lewis (RT1^l) rats reject after 5–6 days of normoglycemia. Hand-picked WF islets (1500–2000) were transplanted under the kidney capsules of diabetic Lew or WF rats. Rats bearing iso- or allografts were killed on posttransplant days 2, 4, and 6. Serial frozen sections of grafts and controls were stained by immunoperoxidase for rat MAC-1, class II MHC, CD2, CD4, CD8, B-cells, VLA-4, LFA-1, L-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. Infiltrating cells, parenchymal cells, and endothelial cells in five distinct compartments (i.e., peritoneal reflection, subcapsular perivascular space, islet grafts, graft–kidney interface, and kidney) were evaluated for expression of the various markers at each interval. Significant infiltrates arrived in three distinct waves in both iso- and allografts. First, macrophages blanketed the peritoneal capsular reflection and infiltrated by day 2. Second, the first wave of lymphocytes arrived in the edematous subcapsular soft tissue via capsular vessels by day 2 (allo > iso). Third, the second wave of lymphocytes arrived from the renal parenchyma to form a dense band at the graft–kidney interface and around grafts by days 4 and 6 (allo >>> iso); CD4+ cells vastly outnumbered CD8+ cells, with CD4+ cells being mobilized first and from interstitial vessels throughout the entire kidney. CD8+ cells emigrated only from renal interstitial vessels adjacent to the graft. Large numbers of L-selectin+, VLA-4+, and LFA-1+ cells were seen in the infiltrates with the most intensely staining cells being intravascular. B-cells composed a very small proportion of infiltrating cells in both allo- and isografts. Endothelial staining for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was prominent throughout. Both class II MHC and ICAM-1 expression were induced on renal tubular epithelial cells, but neither was found on islet parenchymal cells. In conclusion, this study shows that islet allograft rejection is more complex than previously realized.     

黄嘌呤氧化脱氢酶在大鼠肾移植急性排斥反应中的作用

目的 观察黄嘌呤氧化脱氢酶(XOD)在大鼠肾移植急性排斥反应中的作用.方法 实验分同系移植组和异系移植组两组.采用左肾原位移植术建立大鼠.肾移植模型.分别于术后1、4、7 d切取受体左肾,观察其形态学改变,应用比色法检测移植肾组织中XOD和活性氧(ROS)的活力,应用免疫组织化学技术检测XOD的表达.结果 异系移植组术后第4、7天呈现典型的急性排斥反应的病理改变.该组各时间点的XOD活力、ROS水平、Banff总分及免疫组织化学评分与同系移植组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).异系移植组移植肾XOD活力、ROS水平、Banff总分及免疫组织化学评分之间均呈正相关(r≥0.751,P＜0.01).XOD表达于肾小管上皮细胞、肾小球内皮细胞和浸润的单核巨噬细胞中.结论 XOD与肾移植急性排斥反应的发生发展密切相关.     

Long-term kidney isografts develop functional and morphologic changes that mimic those of chronic allograft rejection.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined antigen-independent factors in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection of organ transplants. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In addition to alloantigen-dependent events, antigen-independent factors can influence chronic rejection of organ allografts. Initial injury, including early ischemia and acute rejection, may contribute. METHODS: Kidney isografts were transplanted orthotopically into bilaterally nephrectomized rat recipients and studied functionally, morphologically and immunohistologically, at serial intervals up to 72 weeks after transplantation. Controls included chronically rejecting kidney allografts using a well-established model, non-nephrectomized and uninephrectomized animals with a native kidney that had undergone initial ischemia and uninephrectomized rats whose remaining kidney had been manipulated operatively. RESULTS: Allograft recipients developed progressive proteinuria after 12 weeks, with gradual renal failure ultimately leading to death. At the same time, morphologic changes, including progressive arteriosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis, developed. Immunohistologically, macrophages infiltrated glomeruli during this period and cytokines became upregulated. Comparable changes occurred in isografts, but later, beginning after week 24 and progressing thereafter. The single ischemic kidney in uninephrectomized controls also developed the same lesions; no comparable changes were noted in other control kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: Antigen-independent functional and morphologic changes occur in long-term kidney isografts that resemble those appearing considerably earlier in allografts that reject chronically. Initial injury and extent of functioning renal mass may be important factors for such late changes.     

FTY720-induced lymphocyte homing modulates post-transplant preservation/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: A novel immunomodulator, FTY720, modulates lymphocyte migration to injured tissues via enhanced lymphocyte sequestration to secondary lymphoid organs. We tested whether or not single-dose FTY720 (0.5 mg/kg) pretreatment rescues renal grafts from post-transplant preservation/reperfusion injury. METHODS: Rat renal grafts were cold-preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution for 4 hours and then transplanted into syngeneic or allogeneic recipients that received a single dose of FTY720 24 hours before transplantation. Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood and lymph nodes was performed to confirm the biologic effect of FTY720. Grafts were harvested after 24 hours. Renal sections were examined histologically and stained for intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, and inflammatory cells. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) production was determined in renal protein extracts. RESULTS: FTY720 pretreatment significantly increased CD3+ T-cell sequestration to lymph nodes in the face of peripheral lymphopenia. Isografts and allografts from the FTY720-treated groups did not develop increased creatinine (0.55 +/- 0.12 in isografts and 0.62 +/- 0.08 mg/dL in allografts), compared with vehicle controls (2.28 +/- 0.20 in isografts and 2.24 +/- 0.18 mg/dL in allografts). Kidneys from FTY720-treated groups also showed lower acute tubular damage scores. Furthermore, FTY720 decreased neutrophil influx, although circulating neutrophils were unchanged. FTY720 also prevented postischemic IL-1 intragraft production not affecting infiltration with recipient ED-1+ macrophages and MHC class II-positive cells. Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM did not differ among groups. CONCLUSION: FTY720 ameliorated morphologic and functional consequences of post-transplant reperfusion injury. Thus, FTY720-induced peripheral T-cell absence may influence intragraft IL-1 production and neutrophil infiltration, despite proadhesive endothelial properties. FTY720 may broaden the utility in renal transplantation as a pretreatment strategy against preservation/reperfusion injury.     

Progressive increase of CD4(+)/CD45RC(-) lymphocytes after allograft rat lung transplantation: a marker of acute rejection

BACKGROUND: Acute rejection remains one the most serious problems in lung transplantation. Although biopsy has been used for assessing the dysfunction of grafts, it is difficult to determine rejection at an early stage. Lymphocyte infiltration and activation play an important role in acute rejection of transplanted organs, and the dynamic change of lymphocyte subpopulations might be a marker to determine graft rejection after lung transplantation. METHODS: A rat lung transplant model was used. Graft-infiltrating lymphocytes in lung tissues were examined by means of histology, and isolated cells were analyzed by means of flow cytometry. Phenotypes of lymphocytes in the regional and remote lymph nodes, spleen, peripheral blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were also measured by means of flow cytometry. RESULTS: After allograft transplantation, increased lymphocytes were seen in allografts but not in isografts. In allografts the percentage of T cells increased from day 1 to day 5, whereas that of B cells was decreased. The CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio decreased in allografts. The proportion of CD4(+)/CD45RC(-) cells increased in the allografts, which was mainly due to the increase of CD45RC(-) cells in the total CD4(+) cells. Similar changes were found in regional mediastinal lymph nodes but not in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleen, or peripheral blood. Thus this is a specific response to lung allografts. Importantly, CD45RC(-) cells were significantly increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CONCLUSION: Significant change of lymphocyte subpopulations is a sign of lymphocyte activation. Increased CD4(+)/CD45RC(-) cells in lung allografts could be an early marker of acute rejection, which can be examined by means of lung lavage and flow cytometry.     

供肝冷缺血时间延长诱发大鼠原位肝移植术后早期急性排斥反应的研究

目的 研究供肝冷缺血时间延长对大鼠原位肝移植术后早期急性排斥反应的影响.方法 选取30只健康纯系清洁级BN大鼠和30只Lewis大鼠.分别作为纯系移植和同种异体移植的供者,受者均为健康纯系清洁级BN大鼠60只,建立纯系和同种异体原位肝移植模型.根据纯系移植和同种异体移植供肝冷缺血时间的不同,将供、受者分为A、B、C和D组,每组15对.A组:供肝冷缺血1 h后进行纯系移植;B组:供肝冷缺血18 h后进行纯系移植;C组:供肝冷缺血1 h后进行同种异体移植;D组:供肝冷缺血18 h后进行同种异体移植.术后观察受者的2周存活率、移植肝组织病理学及肝功能的改变,检测受者主要组织相容性复合物(MHC)-Ⅱ类分子和核转录因子κB(NF-κB)的表达水平.结果 肝移植术后2周,A、B、C和D组的存活率分别为83.3%、66.7%、16.7%和0%,不管是纯系移植组还是同种异体移植组中供肝的冷保存时间越短,受者的存活率越高,且经肝功能检查发现冷保存时间短的受者移植肝功能恢复较好,移植肝组织病理学损伤和急性排斥反应也明显较轻.B组受者术后移植肝大量表达MHC-Ⅱ类分子,明显高于A组(P＜0.05);两同种异体移植组MHC-Ⅱ类分子的表达量较两纯系移植组增加明显,D组增加最多.A组几乎不表达NF-κB,而B组NF-κB的表达显著增加(P＜0.05);两同种异体移植组受者NF-κB的表达峰值提前.结论 冷缺血时间的延长可以诱导发生和加重大鼠原位肝移植术后早期急性排斥反应,降低术后2周存活率.     

Evidence of mitochondrial impairment during cardiac allograft rejection

NADH laser fluorimetry and mitochondrial oxigraphy were used to study myocardial oxidative energy metabolism during cardiac allograft rejection. Heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed on Lewis rats; allografts (with Fischer rat donors) were compared with isografts (with Lewis rat donors). In vivo and in vitro assays were performed six days after transplantation. Myocardial NADH fluorescence was recorded in vivo from grafted hearts, at baseline; during brief, complete ischemia; and during reperfusion. Oxygen consumption of mitochondria isolated from both native and grafted hearts was determined. Neither baseline levels nor maximum ischemic levels of NADH fluorescence (F0 = k[NADH]) were found to be significantly different between allografts (0.45 +/- 0.05 to 0.87 +/- 0.10) and isografts (0.45 +/- 0.04 to 1.11 +/- 0.05). During recovery, the rate of fluorescence decrease was significantly lower in allografts than in isografts (0.024 +/- 0.001 vs. 0.038 +/- 0.002 delta F0.s-1, P less than 10(-3], indicating a lower rate of NADH reoxidation. In the presence of malate and glutamate substrates, mitochondrial O2 consumption was significantly lower in allografts than in isografts (30 +/- 9 vs. 100 +/- 15 nanoatoms O2. min-1.mg prot-1, P less than 10(-2]. These results indicate that mitochondrial oxidative metabolism was impaired during the rejection process. Such energy production disturbances may contribute to the dysfunction of rejecting hearts.     

Function and surface phenotype of T lymphocytes infiltrating renal allografts in nonhuman primates treated with monoclonal antibodies

The phenotype and function of T lymphocyte cell lines established in vitro from kidney biopsies at the time of acute cellular rejection were studied using a nonhuman primate renal allograft model. Our objectives were to investigate the function and surface phenotype of cells that infiltrate renal allografts in animals that were untreated, that were given subtherapeutic cyclosporin, or that developed rejection after treatment with monoclonal antibodies to IL-2R B chain (CD25), immune cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), or CD8. Lines from allograft biopsies and peripheral blood were expanded in vitro using solely human recombinant IL-2 and analyzed after 6-20 days in culture. We found that the large majority of cells cultured from cynomolgus allografts at the time of acute rejection or, when possible, assayed directly without culture, were CD3+4-8+ T lymphoblasts that possessed donor-specific cytolytic function and an NK-line, cytotoxic activity. In contrast, it was rarely possible to establish T cell lines exhibiting donor-specific cytotoxic activity from the blood except in the absence of immunosuppression or during CsA taper. A stable number of graft-derived CD4+8- cells was only observed in an unsuppressed animal 2 days after transplantation in the absence of manifest signs of rejection. Taken together, the above data indicate that similar T lymphocyte populations associated with allograft rejection are present in acutely rejecting allografts after the various types of immunosuppressive therapy. Since the infiltrating cells were similar to those obtained prior to therapy, recurrent rejection most likely represents cells that have escaped elimination. The T cells derived from monkey grafts differ from those from human renal allografts by the decreased frequency of CD4+ cells. Whether this difference is species-related or therapy-related is not known.     

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression and macrophage accumulation in renal allograft rejection

BACKGROUND: Studies of infiltrating cells from acutely rejecting renal allografts show that a high proportion of these cells are macrophages, and early macrophage infiltration is a poor prognostic sign for transplant survival. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), produced by tubular and mesangial cells, has been associated with macrophage infiltration and proliferation in experimental and human kidney diseases. We investigated the expression of M-CSF in a model of acute rejection. METHODS: Lewis rats underwent bilateral nephrectomies and received an orthotopic Dark Agouti allograft or Lewis isograft. Animals received cyclosporine (10 mg/kg/day) from day 0 to day 3 and were killed at days 4, 8, or 14 after transplantation. Macrophages (ED1+) and T cells (W3-13+) were identified by immunohistochemistry, and M-CSF expression was identified by Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Isografts had normal renal function without histological evidence of rejection. Allografts exhibited a moderate infiltrate at day 4 but progressed to severe rejection at day 14, with elevated serum creatinine level and severe tubulointerstitial damage. Macrophages and T cells were present in equal proportion in the infiltrate at day 4. At day 14, the number of macrophages increased fivefold (2580/mm2), although T cells were unchanged (380/mm2). Proliferating macrophages (ED1+, BrdU+) increased from day 4 (4%) to day 14 (10%). M-CSF mRNA expression was strongly up-regulated in allografts compared with isografts and normal rat. In situ hybridization demonstrated M-CSF expression by resident and infiltrating cells. Renal tubular expression was minimally increased at day 4 but strongly up-regulated at day 14 (more than 50% of tubules positive), particularly in areas of tubular damage. Tubular M-CSF expression colocalized with areas of intense macrophage infiltration and proliferation. Serial sections with double labeling demonstrated that T cells were the dominant source of M-CSF at day 4, yet later in the rejection (day 14) the predominant sites of production were both renal tubular cells and interstitial macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Renal production of M-CSF by graft-infiltrating (macrophages and T lymphocytes) and resident (tubular) cells was up-regulated during acute rejection. M-CSF promotes macrophage recruitment and proliferation and may thereby play a pathogenic role in acute rejection. The kinetics of M-CSF production during acute rejection suggest that local macrophage proliferation may be initiated by T cells and perpetuated by both renal tubular and autocrine release.     

IL-4 deficiency prevents eosinophilic rejection and uncovers a role for neutrophils in the rejection of MHC class II disparate skin grafts

BACKGROUND: Acute rejection of MHC class II-disparate bm12 skin grafts by C57BL/6 recipient mice is characterized by massive graft infiltration by eosinophils, together with increased intragraft amounts of IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA. IL-5 blockade prevents the intragraft eosinophil infiltration and prolongs the survival of skin allografts. As the differentiation of T cell precursors into Th2 cells is largely driven by IL-4, we investigated the role of IL-4 in MHC class II-disparate allograft rejection. METHODS: We performed skin grafts from MHC class II incompatible bm12 mice into wild-type C57BL/6 mice (IL-4) or C57BL/6 IL-4 deficient mice (IL-4). Graft survival, in vitro T cell reactivity, and histology were compared. RESULTS: We observed that 50% of IL-4 mice rapidly rejected their bm12 allograft, whereas the other 50% retained their graft 60 days after transplantation. Histological examination of bm12 allografts retained by IL-4 mice showed a normal appearance with no inflammatory infiltrate and no eosinophils. Among IL-4 mice that acutely rejected their bm12 skin graft, we observed a dense polymorphonuclear infiltrate. The depletion of neutrophils significantly prolonged bm12 graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophil infiltrates, typical of MHC class II disparate acute skin graft rejection, are critically dependent on the availability of IL-4. IL-4 mice reject MHC class II disparate skin grafts by a pathway of rejection where neutrophils play a direct causal role.     

Kidney‐Induced Cardiac Allograft Tolerance in Miniature Swine is Dependent on MHC‐Matching of Donor Cardiac and Renal Parenchyma

Kidney allografts possess the ability to enable a short course of immunosuppression to induce tolerance of themselves and of cardiac allografts across a full‐MHC barrier in miniature swine. However, the renal element(s) responsible for kidney‐induced cardiac allograft tolerance (KICAT) are unknown. Here we investigated whether MHC disparities between parenchyma versus hematopoietic‐derived “passenger” cells of the heart and kidney allografts affected KICAT. Heart and kidney allografts were co‐transplanted into MHC‐mismatched recipients treated with high‐dose tacrolimus for 12 days. Group 1 animals (n = 3) received kidney and heart allografts fully MHC‐mismatched to each other and to the recipient. Group 2 animals (n = 3) received kidney and heart allografts MHC‐matched to each other but MHC‐mismatched to the recipient. Group 3 animals (n = 3) received chimeric kidney allografts whose parenchyma was MHC‐mismatched to the donor heart. Group 4 animals (n = 3) received chimeric kidney allografts whose passenger leukocytes were MHC‐mismatched to the donor heart. Five of six heart allografts in Groups 1 and 3 rejected <40 days. In contrast, heart allografts in Groups 2 and 4 survived >150 days without rejection (p < 0.05). These data demonstrate that KICAT requires MHC‐matching between kidney allograft parenchyma and heart allografts, suggesting that cells intrinsic to the kidney enable cardiac allograft tolerance.     

Cytokine and T cell receptor gene expression at the site of allograft rejection.

Intragraft cytokine and T cell receptor gene expression was analyzed in rejecting renal allografts by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Message for IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha was detected in nephrectomy tissue with pathological evidence of acute or chronic rejection. Similarly, mRNA for both IL-6 and TNF-alpha was present in renal biopsies from acute rejecting kidneys. IL-2R, IL-4, and IL-5 mRNA was present in both rejecting and rejected kidney allografts, indicating that these cytokines may play a role in ongoing renal allograft rejection. Conversely, IL-2, IL-7, and IFN-gamma message was detected infrequently. In order to address the diversity of T cells in rejecting kidneys, we have analyzed the clonality of the TcR present within the allograft tissue. Rearranged TcR genes were identified in all allografts examined (n = 16) indicating the presence of T cells bearing the alpha/beta TcR. We have determined that there is a heterogeneous infiltration of T cells in the rejected allograft with TcR representing x = 7.47 +/- 2.4 families rearranged in samples obtained from nephrectomies, whereas x = 5.33 +/- 0.58 families were detected in samples obtained from biopsy tissue. These data indicate that (1) cytokines are produced locally which may contribute to graft cell destruction, (2) the heterogeneity of intragraft T cells during kidney allograft rejection may exist because nonspecific lymphocytes have been recruited to the site by locally produced cytokines or because T cells are responding to multiple epitopes or multiple donor antigens. Detection of intragraft cytokines and TcR may prove useful in elucidating the mechanism of rejection and therefore lead to improved immunosuppression.     

Interferon-gamma knockout fails to confer protection against obliteration in heterotopic murine tracheal allografts.

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma, produced by T-helper cells, activates macrophages and increases expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) products in acute and chronic rejection. We investigated the role of interferon-gamma in murine heterotopic tracheal allografts. METHODS: Tracheas from BALB/c mice were heterotopically transplanted to BALB/c (12 isografts: 2 weeks [n = 6] and 4 weeks [n = 6], C57BL/6 (12 allografts: 2 weeks [n = 6] and 4 weeks [n = 6]) and C57BL/6 interferon-gamma knockout mice (12 interferon-gamma knockout allografts: 2 weeks [n = 4] and 4 weeks [n = 8]). BALB/c interferon-gamma knockout tracheas were transplanted to C57BL/6 mice (reverse knockout: 4 weeks [n = 6]) and BALB/c interferon-gamma knockout mice (4 weeks [n = 2]). C57BL/6 tracheas were transplanted to Bm12 mice (MHC Class II mismatch allografts: 4 weeks [n = 6]). Conventional histology and immunohistochemistry for CD4, CD8 and CD11b were performed. RESULTS: Minimal (<20%) obliteration was seen at 2 weeks in the allograft groups. No obliteration was seen in the isograft groups. However, all allografts were completely obliterated at 4 weeks. Interferon-gamma knockout allograft combinations displayed severe rejection characterized by intense intra- and extraluminal infiltration by CD4-, CD8- and CD11b-labeled cells. The MHC Class II mismatch allograft group showed normal epithelium and mild sub-epithelial infiltration by CD4+ cells at 4 weeks (CD8-, CD11b-). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of interferon-gamma does not protect the allograft from obliteration. Epithelial destruction by cytotoxic T cells appears to be an important mechanism in the development of obliteration in murine heterotopic tracheal allografts.