Recipient immature dendritic cells do not prolong allograft survival

Experimental studies on allogeneic transplantation have shown that recipient dendritic cells (DC) play a role in peripheral tolerance as well as in rejection of allografts. It is not known whether DCs exert their tolerogenic function in the graft or in recipient lymphoid tissue. To answer this question we created a chimeric heart model deprived of its own DCs and repopulated with recipient DCs. The rationale for this model was to observe whether recipient mature and immature DCs located in the graft attenuate recruitment and stimulation of recipient lymphocytes, subsequently prolonging graft survival. Vascularized bone marrow transplants from the prospective recipient to the lethally irradiated heart donor, which function for a period of 14 days, were used to replace donor DCs with prospective recipient either mature or immature DCs. Replacement of the donor heart with either of these cells did not prolong graft survival. The intragraft microchimerism did not mitigate the allogeneic rejection reaction.     

Selective depletion of cross-presenting dendritic cells enhances islet allograft survival

MHC class I presentation of peptides derived from exogenous antigens (not synthesized within the antigen-presenting cell) is called cross-presentation and is mediated by selective subsets of dendritic cells (DC). A proportion of both donor and host DC may cross-present. Although there has been many studies that have investigated the role of donor versus host DC (i.e., direct vs. indirect pathway), what role cross-presenting DC play in allograft rejection has not been determined. We recently identified an agent, cytochrome c (cytc), that selectively depletes cross-presenting DC in vivo. By administering cytc we were able to study the impact of cross-presenting DC on rejection of islets grafted into fully mismatched mice. We found that cytc protected about half of the islet allografts from rejection. Our results indicate that cross-presenting DC can make potent contributions to the immune response to islet allografts, and contend that agents such as cytc that selectively target DC heralds a novel method of immunosuppression.     

Mitomycin-C-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prolong allograft survival in composite tissue allotransplantation

BackgroundComposite tissue allotransplantation (CTA) was introduced as a potential treatment for complex reconstructive procedures and has become a clinical reality. Hand and face transplantation, the most widely recognized forms of CTA, have intensified immunological research in this emerging field of transplantation. Mitomycin C (MMC) is an alkylating agent that suppresses allogeneic T-cell responses. MMC-treated dendritic cells/PBMCs have been shown to induce donor-specific tolerance in solid organ allograft transplantations.MethodsFully mismatched rats were used as hind limb donors [Lewis (RT1¹)] and recipients [Brown-Norway (RT1ⁿ)]. Fifty-five allogeneic hind limb transplantations were accomplished in six groups. Group A (n = 10) received donor-derived MMC-treated PBMCs on transplantation day. Group B (n = 10) rats received no immunosuppression, group C (n = 10) received FK506 and prednisolon, group D consisted in isograft transplantation without immunosuppression, group E (n = 10) received non-treated PBMCs, and group F (n = 5) received PBS without any donor-derived cells. Rejection was assessed clinically and histologically.ResultsIn group A, the survival times of the allografts were prolonged to an average of 8.0 d. Rejection was significantly delayed compared with the averages of the corresponding control groups B, E, and F (5.5, 5.9, and 5.8 d). No rejection was seen in control groups C and D.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that MMC-treated donor PBMCs significantly prolong allograft survival when administered systemically on the day of transplantation. However, the immunomodulatory effect is relatively modest with further research being required to clarify dose–effect relations, cell characteristics, and an optimized mechanism and timing for cell application.     

Intraosseus transplantation of donor-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells induces donor-specific chimerism and extends composite tissue allograft survival

We investigated the effect of the intraosseous allotransplantation of the donor-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) CD90+ on chimerism induction and survival of rat hind limb transplants. Eighteen rat hind limb transplantations were performed between Lewis-Brown-Norway and Lewis rats in three groups. Isograft and allograft rejection controls received no treatment. In the experimental group, 0.8 to 1.2 x 10(6) of separated and purified CD90+ HSC cells were transplanted intramedullary into the bone marrow cavity of the recipient's tibia during opposite hind limb transplantation, without immunosuppressive therapy. Transplants from isograft group survived indefinitely. Allograft controls rejected transplants on day 7 posttransplant. The injection of separated and purified CD90+ cells of the donor origin extended survival of the transplanted limbs up to 15 days in group III. We introduced a novel method of transplantation of the CD90+ cells of the donor origin into the recipient's bone marrow cavity. This technique resulted in extended allograft survival, without immunosuppressive therapy.     

未成熟树突状细胞诱导大鼠免疫低反应性

目的观察供者来源的未成熟树突状细胞(imDCs)联合骨髓移植(BMT)对大鼠移植肾的保护作用,并探讨其机制.方法DA(RT1a)大鼠为供者,Lewis(RT11)大鼠为受者,Wistar大鼠为无关第三品系.将实验动物随机分为5组,每组8只,进行不同的预处理后进行肾移植.(1)阴性对照组受者不接受任何预处理;(2)imDCs诱导组受者术前7d经尾静脉注射经60Co照射(30 Gy)灭活的、供者来源的未成熟树突状细胞2×107/只;(3)BMT诱导组受者术前4 d经尾静脉注射供者来源的新鲜骨髓细胞2×108/只;(4)imDCs+BMT联合诱导组受者术前7 d经尾静脉注射经60Co照射(30 Gy)灭活的、供者来源的未成熟树突状细胞2×107/只,术前4 d经尾静脉注射供者来源的新鲜骨髓细胞2×108/只;(5)第三品系组预处理与imDCs+BMT联合诱导组相同,但供者肾脏来自Wistar大鼠.术后进行单向混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR);白细胞介素2(IL-2)逆转实验;体内细胞转移实验(DTH);流式细胞仪检测RT1a阳性细胞百分率.结果各组大鼠肾移植后平均存活时间分别为阴性对照组(7.12±1.25)d;imDCs诱导组(24.38±3.20)d;BMT诱导组(7.87±2.10)d;第三品系组(6.63±1.06)d;而imDCs+BMT联合诱导组延长到(80.75±16.88)d;后者与上述4组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).免疫耐受的大鼠脾细胞增殖程度(SI值,3.41)明显低于对照组(7.56),P＜0.01;转移耐受的Lewis大鼠(FI值,0.55)明显低于对照大鼠(0.93),P＜0.01;在免疫耐受的受者体内检测到RT1a阳性细胞.结论术前输注供者来源的未成熟树突状细胞联合骨髓移植,可成功诱导受者产生免疫耐受,显著延长肾移植大鼠的存活时间.可能机制为特异性T细胞克隆无能、T细胞的负向免疫调节以及嵌合体的形成.     

Administration of dendritic cells modified by RNA interference prolongs cardiac allograft survival

Systemic administration of immature donor-dendritic cells (DC) that are deficient in co-stimulatory molecules delays the onset of allograft rejection. However, it is not easy to control culture condition and guarantee that the administered DC are in the immature stages, which obviously affects their therapeutic effect. In this study, we attempted to inhibit expression of CD86 on DC using an RNA interference technology. The function of CD86(low) DC was determined by the influence on their capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation and by the effect of DC systemic administration on survival of cardiac allografts. CD86(low) DC stimulated low T cell proliferative responses in vitro and administration of CD86(low) DC prolonged survival of heart allografts in vivo. These results suggest that RNA interference is a useful approach to modify DC function, which has potentials for clinical application.     

Immunologic approaches to composite tissue allograft

This article discusses the immunologic principles and the most promising immunologic approaches for composite tissue allograft tolerance. We have previously reviewed some of the pharmacologic approaches for composite tissue allo-transplantation. In this review, we will summarize the range of options that may address the challenge of transplantation in reconstructive surgery.     

Pharmacologic approaches to composite tissue allograft

This article discusses the pharmacologic approaches and the most promising new compounds for composite tissue allograft tolerance. Although some approaches rely on a combination of immunosuppressive agents that act synergistically against rejection, other strategies use immunologic manipulation, including major histocompatibility complex matching, induction of chimerism, and use of monoclonal antibodies to abrogate the immune response. There is still a need, however, to reproduce these findings in species phylogenetically closer to humans. This may be the target of future research efforts, which may overcome the challenge of limb and face transplant rejection.     

Establishing a composite tissue allograft registry

Currently there is no international registry for composite tissue allografts (CTA), but there have been discussions about creating such a registry. This article discusses the advantages/benefits, and disadvantages of establishing an international composite tissue registry. It also looks at some of the potential pitfalls that may hinder the long-term survival of the effort and makes recommendations as to how to avoid them based on the experience of other registries. It is our belief that now is the time for the formation of a CTA registry. There is a strong consensus among the transplanting centers for its formation. If properly constructed, a scientific registry on CTA will be a true attribute to the scientific and medical communities.     

负载供者凋亡细胞的受者未成熟树突状细胞可延长小鼠移植心脏的存活时间

目的　探讨吞噬供体凋亡细胞的受者树突状细胞 (DC)的功能及其在诱导同种异体小鼠心脏移植耐受中的作用。方法　应用中波紫外线照射的方法诱导供者脾细胞凋亡 ,并在体外与受者骨髓来源的DC共同培养 ,同时用核因子 κB寡聚脱氧核苷酸诱骗剂 (NF κBODNDecoy)抑制DC的成熟。建立同种异体小鼠心脏异位移植模型 ,移植术前 7d经门静脉给受者输注经上述处理的DC ,观察移植物的存活时间 ,并检测移植物内相关细胞因子基因的表达情况。结果　NF κBODNDecoy可明显抑制DC吞噬凋亡细胞后的成熟 ;经NF κBODNDecoy处理且负载凋亡脾细胞的DC可抑制T淋巴细胞增殖反应 ,且具有供者特异性 ,接受DC门静脉输注的受者 ,移植心脏的平均存活时间明显延长 ,移植心脏内白细胞介素 2及γ干扰素mRNA的水平减低 ,白细胞介素 10mRNA的水平升高 ,而输注仅负载凋亡脾细胞的DC ,移植心脏的平均存活时间未见延长 (P <0 .0 1) ,这种保护作用具有抗原特异性。结论　以NF κBODNDecoy处理的、吞噬同种凋亡细胞的受者未成熟DC可明显延长同种小鼠移植心脏的存活时间。     

Administration of tolerogenic dendritic cells induced by interleukin-10 prolongs rat splenic allograft survival

The risk and intensity in splenic graft rejection are greater than in other types of transplants, because the spleen is the largest peripheral lymphoid organ and the immunosuppressive drugs administered can cause splenic dysfunction. In this study, we demonstrate that intravenous injection of interleukin-10-treated donor-type dendritic cells into recipient rats prolongs the survival of splenic allografts. Although the mechanisms are not clear, the induction of tolerance to grafted spleens seems to rely mainly on blockage of expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86, by interleukin-10, leading to enhanced apoptosis of allospecific T cells by immature and tolerogenic dendritic cells. Administration of tolerogenic cells induced by interleukin-10 may thus represent a useful approach for protection of splenic allografts. Further study is required to investigate the operative pathways and to optimize the strategy targeting dendritic cells to induce tolerance in splenic allografts.     

Prolonged survival of donor-specific rat intestinal allograft by administration of bone-marrow-derived immature dendritic cells

It has been reported that intraportal administration of donor antigens induced donor-specific hyporesponsiveness. We studied here the effects of transplantation of BM-derived immature dendritic cells (imDCs) and mature DCs (mDCs) via portal vein on rat small intestinal allograft survival. This study comprised four treatment groups: 1) untreated controls; 2) FK506 alone; 3) intraportal donor-specific BM-derived imDCs transplantation+FK506; 4) mDCs/Tx+FK506. Allograft survival was minimal in control group (5.2+/-0.8 days) and maximal in imDC+FK506 group (28.4+/-3.0 days). The rats in mDC+FK506 group showed systemic inflammatory reaction due to GVHR, and died within 10 days after transplantation. The in vitro MLR reaction using imDCs was also strongly inhibited both in direct and indirect recognition pathways. The impact of imDCs for the specific induction of transplant tolerance may suggest that immunization with donor-specific imDCs has therapeutic potential in organ transplantation.     

Long-term survival of an extremity composite tissue allograft with FK506-mycophenolate mofetil therapy.

BACKGROUND: High-dose tacrolimus (FK506) monotherapy has significantly prolonged rat hindlimb allograft survival. With an eye toward direct clinical application, we used a large-animal extremity composite tissue allograft model to assess the antirejection efficacy and systemic toxicity of combination FK506-mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment. METHODS: Radial forelimb osteomyocutaneous flap transplants were performed between size-matched outbred pigs assigned to one of two groups: 5 control pigs received no immunosuppression and 9 animals received a once-daily oral FK506-MMF-prednisone regimen. Rejection was assessed by visual inspection of flap skin and was correlated with serial histopathologic examination of skin biopsy specimens. RESULTS: In all control pigs the flap was completely rejected on day 7. Of the 9 pigs receiving treatment, 3 died from pneumonia on days 29, 30, and 83 without signs of rejection and another died from gastric rupture on day 42 with persistent mild rejection. The remaining 5 animals were free of rejection at the end of the 90-day follow-up period (P < 0.005 vs controls). Overall, 5 pigs had pneumonia, 4 septic arthritis, 3 toe abscesses, and 5 diarrhea and decreased weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Combination oral FK506-MMF treatment provided a superior antirejection effect but more produced more toxicity than that previously demonstrated with cyclosporin A-MMF therapy in our model. Our results suggest that reduction of FK506 or MMF doses might decrease both infectious and drug-specific side effects while still providing adequate prophylaxis against rejection.     

核因子κB诱骗剂处理的树突状细胞延长小鼠移植心脏存活时间

目的探讨核因子κB（NF-κB）诱骗剂处理供者树突状细胞（DC）对同种异体小鼠移植心脏存活时间的影响。方法在体外以NF-κB诱骗剂处理供者骨髓来源的DC，并于心脏移植术前7d经门静脉输注2×10^6个DC给受者，术后1～7d受者接受亚治疗量的环孢素A（10mg·kg^-1·d^-1）腹腔注射（联合方案组），并设不作任何处理（对照组）、单用环孢素A（CsA组）、单纯输注未经处理DC（DC对照组）和单纯输注经处理DC（DC实验组）的对照组，另设接受来自第三方供者的对照组（第三供者组，受者的处理同联合方案组），所有受者均接受腹腔心脏移植。观察各组移植心脏的存活时间；采用酶联免疫吸附法检测术后第7天受者血清白细胞介素2（IL-2）、IL-4、IL-10和γ干扰素（IFN-γ）的含量。结果移植心脏平均存活时间（MST），对照组为7d，CsA组为10．3d，DC对照组为7．6d，DC实验组为21．4d，联合方案组为53．6d，第三供者组为9d，DC实验组移植心脏MST明显长于对照组和DC对照组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）；联合方案组移植心脏MST明显长于CsA组、DC实验组及第三供者组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。联合方案组IL-2和IFN-γ的含量最低，而IL-4和IL-10的含量最高，与其它各组比较，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；与对照组、DC对照组及CsA组相比，DC实验组IL-2及IFN-γ的含量也显著降低（P〈0．05），而IL-4和IL-10则升高（P〈0．05）。结论术前输注经NF-κB诱骗剂处理的供者DC可延长同种小鼠移植心脏的存活时间，若术后加用短程亚治疗量CsA，则移植心脏的存活时间得到进一步延长。     

他克莫司处理的供者树突状细胞延长大鼠移植心脏的存活时间

目的 研究经他克莫司(Tac)处理的供者未成熟树突状细胞(imEX3)在延长大鼠移植心脏存活时间中的作用和机制.方法 以Wistar大鼠为供者,SD大鼠为受者,行颈部异位心脏移植.心脏移植前将受者随机分为3组,每组15只,进行不同的预处理.第1组:为对照组,术前7 d经受者的尾静脉注射生理盐水1.0ml;第2组:为未经Tac处理组,术前7 d经受者的尾静脉注射未经Tac处理的imDC 2×106(1.0 m1);第3组:为Tac处理组,术前7 d经受者的尾静脉注射经Tac处理的imDC 2×106(1.0 m1).术后观察:移植心脏的存活时间、受者与供者及无关供者(Lewis大鼠)的单向混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)、心肌组织病理学表现及血清中白细胞介素(IL)-2、IL-4、IL-10和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的水平变化.结果 第1、2、3组移植心脏的存活时间分别为(8.57±1.34)d、(20.92±2.68)d和(33.30±3.92)d.各组之间比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01);第2、3组受者对供者的MLR刺激指数较第1组明显降低,而对无关供者的MLR刺激指数则与第1组相近;各组受者血清IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10浓度问差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),第3组IL-2和IFN-γ(代表TH1细胞)水平明显降低,而IL-4和IL-10(代表TH2细胞)水平明显增高.结论 imDC能够延长大鼠心脏移植后的存活时间,经Tac处理的imDC能够进一步加强这种作用;且imDC所诱导的免疫低反应性是供者特异性的.其机制可能主要与调节T淋巴细胞免疫应答类型(TH1至TH2的免疫偏移)和诱导T淋巴细胞免疫应答降低有关.     

Nanoparticle delivery of mycophenolic acid upregulates PD-L1 on dendritic cells to prolong murine allograft survival

Conventional immunosuppressive drug delivery requires high systemic drug levels to provide therapeutic benefit, but frequently results in toxic side effects. Novel drug delivery methods, such as FDA-approved poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), are promising drug delivery platforms to reduce drug doses and minimize toxicity. Using murine models of skin transplantation, we investigated whether PLGA NPs would effectively deliver mycophenolic acid (MPA), a common clinical immunosuppressant, and avoid the toxicity of conventional drug delivery. We found that intermittent treatment with NPs encapsulated with MPA (NP-MPA) resulted in a significant extension of allograft survival than intermittent conventional MPA treatment even though the concentration of MPA within NP-MPA was a 1000-fold lower than conventional drug. Importantly, recipients who were administered NP-MPA intermittently avoided drug toxicity, whereas those treated with daily conventional drug manifested cytopenias. Dendritic cells (DCs) endocytosed NP-MPA to upregulate programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and displayed a decreased ability to prime alloreactive T cells. Importantly, the ability of NP-MPA to promote allograft survival was partly PD-L1 dependent. Collectively, this study indicates that NPs are potent drug delivery tools that extend allograft survival without drug toxicity.     

霉酚酸酯预处理供者未成熟树突状细胞回输受者延长移植物的存活

目的观察霉酚酸酯(MMF)处理的供者来源的树突状细胞(DC)回输受者延长移植物存活的作用。方法在DC前体的体外培养过程中加入MMF处理,利用同种小鼠异位心脏移植模型,设单纯移植组、供者未成熟DC回输受者组,以及MMF处理的供者未成熟DC回输受者组,观察MMF处理后DC的抗原提呈能力的变化、移植心脏存活时间并做微嵌合和病理学分析。结果MMF处理后DC的抗原提呈能力明显下降,单纯移植组移植心脏的存活期仅为8d,未成熟DC回输受者组心脏存活期为21d,而MMF处理的未成熟DC组移植物存活时间延长为30d,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);MMF处理的供者未成熟DC在受者体内的嵌合期可达28d以上,且病理分析显示可以明显抑制炎症的产生。结论MMF处理的DC回输受者能够诱导针对移植供者的特异性免疫耐受,进而延长移植物的存活。