A dendritic cell line genetically modified to express CTLA4-IG as a means to prolong islet allograft survival

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells are potent antigen-presenting cells that bind allogeneic T cells. They are thus candidates for targeting immunoregulatory molecules to the alloreactive T cell compartment and suppressing the alloimmune response. METHOD: A dendritic cell line derived from the BALB/c mouse (H2d) was genetically modified to express the immunoregulatory molecule CTLA4-Ig. The ability of these dendritic cell transfectants to downregulate the alloimmune response was tested in an islet transplant model. Allogeneic C57Bl/6 (H2b) mice were rendered diabetic with streptozocin, and they received BALB/c islet (H2d) transplants. Mice were administered 25 million untransfected or CTLA4-Ig-transfected D2SC/1 cells i.v. on the day of islet transplantation and 6 days later[fnc]. RESULT: Mice treated with CTLA4-Ig-transfected D2SC/1 cells demonstrated prolonged allograft survival (mean = 20 days, median = 17 days, SD = 9.39) compared with mice treated with untransfected D2SC/1 cells (mean = 12 days, median = 11 days, SD=2.74) or untreated control mice (mean = 11 days, median = 11 days SD = 1.41). Third party allograft survival was not prolonged in mice receiving similar treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that a genetically modified dendritic cell line can suppress the alloimmune response and prolong islet allograft survival in an allospecific manner. The findings also suggest that genetically modified dendritic cells may be useful in targeting alloreactive T cells and prolonging allograft survival.     

Development of an immunoprivileged site to prolong islet allograft survival

Sertoli cells (SC) play a critical role in the maintenance of the immunoprivileged environment of the testis. We hypothesized that preengrafting SC would allow one to develop a vascularized immunoprivileged ectopic site that provides protection for mouse islet allografts. SC, prepared from 9-day Balb/c mice, were transplanted under the kidney capsule in adult Balb/c mice. After SC engraftment (approximately 30 days), mice were rendered diabetic and subsequently implanted with Balb/c or CBA/J islets directly adjacent to the established SC grafts. Preengrafted SC (5.7 +/- 0.2 x 106) had no adverse effect on syngeneic islet graft function. When allogeneic islets were transplanted into the immunoprivileged ectopic site created by preengrafting 6.4 +/- 0.3 x 10(6) SC, mean graft survival was slightly prolonged (32.4 +/- 6.0 days) compared with control mice that received allogeneic islets alone (16.3 +/- 1.5 days; p = 0.329). In contrast, when 4.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(6) SC were preengrafted, islet allograft survival was significantly prolonged (66.1 +/- 9.8 days; p = 0.001). Four of eight mice, preimplanted with 4.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(6) SC, remained normoglycemic throughout the follow-up period (83.8 +/- 8.6 days) and returned to a diabetic state only when the kidneys bearing the composite grafts were removed. Transplantation of islets into an immunoprivileged ectopic site created by preengrafting SC did not affect islet function and, moreover, provided a means of developing an immunopriveliged ectopic site that permits prolonged islet allograft survival without systemic immunosuppression.     

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.     

Failure to prolong pancreatic islet allograft survival in rats with donor-specific blood transfusions and immunosuppression

The effects on pancreatic islet allograft survival of donor-specific blood transfusions (DST) in combination with pre- and posttransplant immunosuppression were studied. A total of 12 groups of rats (n=105) with chemically induced diabetes underwent islet allotransplantation. Multiple DST or third-party blood transfusions (TPT) were given prior to transplantation. Pretransplant immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine and prednisolone, and low-dose cyclosporin A was used for posttransplant immunosuppression. TPT, as well as separate or combined pre- and posttransplant immunosuppression without blood transfusions, did not prolong islet allograft survival. DST resulted in either primary nonfunction of the islet allografts or a markedly decreased islet allograft survival. These findings contrast with the beneficial effect of DST on whole-organ allograft survival in rats previously described by others.     

Failure to prolong pancreatic islet allograft survival in rats with donor-specific blood transfusions and immunosuppression

Abstract. The effects on pancreatic islet allograft survival of donor-specific blood transfusions (DST) in combination with pre-and posttransplant immunosuppression were studied. A total of 12 groups of rats ( n = 105) with chemically induced diabetes underwent islet allotransplantation. Multiple DST or third-party blood transfusions (TPT) were given prior to transplantation. Pretransplant immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine and prednisolone, and low-dose cyclosporin A was used for posttransplant immunosuppression. TPT, as well as separate or combined pre-and posttransplant immunosuppression without blood transfusions, did not prolong islet allograft survival. DST resulted in either primary nonfunction of the islet allografts or a markedly decreased islet allograft survival. These findings contrast with the beneficial effect of DST on whole-organ allograft survival in rats previously described by others.     

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。     

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.     

Organ donor or graft pretreatment to prolong allograft survival: lessons learned in the murine model

Permanent donor-specific tolerance to allografts is the goal of transplantation research. Currently, morbid immunosuppressive therapy is used to mitigate rejection initiated in part by Ia-bearing interstitial graft dendritic or antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that are thought to migrate into the host after transplantation. We hypothesized that donor or organ immune modulation directed against graft APCs might influence graft immunogenicity and promote prolonged graft acceptance in histoincompatible hosts in the absence of immunosuppressive therapy. Haplotype-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb), mAb specific to graft APC, adhesion or costimulatory molecules and anti-LFA-1-Ricin and anti-Iak-Ricin immunoconjugates (IC) were prepared and administered in varying doses and time intervals to donor C3H/HeJ (H-2k) mice. Thereafter, their spleens and hearts were removed at varying time intervals and used either as stimulator cells in one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction or transplanted into naive Balb/c (H-2d) recipients, respectively. Explanted C3H hearts were pretreated with anti-Iak mAb on the Langendorf apparatus. Hearts were also used from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, MHC class II, and MHC class I- and II-deficient "knockout" mice. Splenocytes exposed to at least 500 microg of anti-Iak mAb in vivo for more than 4 hr were able to inhibit the mixed lymphocyte reaction to almost background levels, but only after incubation with rabbit complement in vitro. Similarly pretreated cardiac allografts (both in vivo or explanted and pretreated on the Langendorf apparatus) did not experience prolonged survival in nonimmunosuppressed Balb/C recipients when compared with control solutions, regardless of the concomitant use of complement. Splenocytes from immunoconjugate pretreated donors inhibited the mixed lymphocyte reaction completely without the use of complement; however, hearts from these donors also did not experience prolonged survival nor donor hearts exposed to mAb specific for graft APC, adhesion or costimulatory molecules. Only hearts from MHC class I and class II "knockout" mice survived significantly longer than controls. We conclude that donor or graft pretreatment with haplotype-specific anti-Ia mAb, haplotype-specific immunoconjugates, or mAb directed against graft APC, adhesion or costimulation molecules have little efficacy in promoting acceptance of cardiac allografts in nonimmunosuppressed recipients. The enhanced survival of hearts from MHC class I- and class II-deficient donors suggest that novel methods to effect the immunogenicity of the graft will be required if long-term allograft acceptance is to be achieved in the absence of host immunosuppression.     

CTLA4-Ig-modified dendritic cells inhibit lymphocyte-mediated alloimmune responses and prolong the islet graft survival in mice

The induction of antigen specific tolerance is critical for prevention and treatment of allograft rejection. In this study, we transfected CTLA4-Ig gene into dendritic cells (DCs), and investigated their effect on inhibition of lymphocyte activity in vitro and induction of immune tolerance on pancreatic islet allograft in mice. An IDDM C57BL/6 murine model induced by streptozotocin is as model mouse. The model mice were transplanted of the islet cells isolated from the BALB/c mice to their kidney capsules, and injected of CTLA4-Ig modified DCs (mDCs). The results showed that mDCs could significantly inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation and induce its apoptosis; whereas, unmodified DCs (umDCs) promoted the murine lymphocyte proliferation. Compared with injection of umDCs and IgG1 modified DCs, the injection of mDCs prolonged IDDM mice's allograft survival, and normalized their plasma glucose (PG) levels within 3 days and maintained over 2 weeks. The level of IFN-gamma was lower and the level of IL-4 was higher in mDCs treated recipient mice than that in control mice, it indicated that mDCs led to Th1/Th2 deviation. After 7 days of islet transplantation, HE stain of the renal specimens showed that the islets and kidneys were intact in structure, and islet cells numbers are increased in mDCs treated mice. Our studies suggest that DCs expressing CTLA4-Ig fusion protein can induce the immune tolerance to islet graft and prolong the allograft survival through the inhibition of T cell proliferation in allogeneic mice.     

霉酚酸酯处理的供者树突状细胞在诱导同种小鼠心脏移植耐受中的作用

目的 探讨霉酚酸酪(MMF)处理的供音来源的树突状细胞(DC)在诱导免疫耐受中的作用。方法 同种小鼠异位心脏移植前经尾静脉注射培养7d的供音源未成熟DC或培养的同时以MMF处理的供者未成熟DC，观察移植心脏存活时间以及受鼠血清中TH1和TH2细胞因子的变化。结果 接受未成熟DC回输的受者移植心脏存活期较单纯移植组显著延长，而以MMF处理未成熟DC可使移植物的存活时间得到进一步延长，并且显著抑制了TH1细胞因子的产生。结论 MMF对比的功能成熟有显著的抑制作用，MMF处理的DC能够诱导针对移植供者的特异性免疫耐受。     

Pretransplant portal venous administration of donor antigen and portal venous allograft drainage synergistically prolong rat cardiac allograft survival

The effect of antigen given through the portal vein (PV) before transplantation or continuous drainage of a graft into the PV results in moderate prolongation of allograft survival. This study examines these treatment modalities further. Pretransplant donor antigen as 25 x 10(6) ultraviolet B-irradiated (12,000 joules/m2) donor spleen cells was given 7 days before heart transplantation through either the PV or systemic venous (IV) routes. On day 0, Lewis-to-Buffalo rat cardiac allografts were drained either into the PV or IV. Pretransplant PV donor antigen administration (p less than 0.005), but not by IV administration, significantly prolonged cardiac allograft survival across the strong RT 1 rat histoincompatibility barrier. Similarly PV, but not IV, drainage of the graft prolonged graft survival (p less than 0.005). Pretransplant IV antigen administration had no additive effect on PV drainage graft survival. In contrast, when pretransplant PV donor antigen was combined with PV drainage, 11 of 14 allografts (p less than 0.001) continued to function, free of rejection, after 150 days. Therefore for rat cardiac transplants a clearly synergistic graft-prolonging effect results when pretransplant PV donor antigen is combined with PV drainage of the allograts. These data clarify the potent tolerogenic effects of alloantigen not only administered into the PV but also continuously shed intraportally so that it is first processed by the liver.     

Arsenic trioxide is a novel agent for combination therapy to prolong heart allograft survival in allo-primed T cells transferred mice

Alloreactive memory T cells are major barriers to transplantation acceptance due to their capacity to accelerate rejection. Here, we investigated the effects of combined treatment with arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) and blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against CD154 and LFA-1 (anti-CD154/LFA-1) on graft survival as well as changes in pathology and immunological responses in mice with adoptively transferred allo-primed T cells. The mean survival time (MST) for the cardiac allografts in recipient mice receiving the combination of As(2)O(3) and anti-CD154/LFA-1 was significantly longer (>113.7days) compared to those receiving anti-CD154/LFA-1 (23.2days), As(2)O(3) (12.5days) alone or no treatment (5.5days). This combined strategy distinctly inhibited lymphocyte infiltration in grafts, proliferation of splenic T cells and the generation of memory T cells in spleens. Moreover, the combined treatment caused the significant down-regulation of IL-2 and IFN-γ accompanied by increased expression of TGF-β and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in spleens, which led to long-term cardiac allograft survival in recipient mice. These results highlight the potential application of As(2)O(3) and its contribution in combination therapy with antibody blockade to delay rejection by memory T cells.     

Inhibition of heart allograft rejection with mitomycin C-treated donor dendritic cells

We showed previously that dendritic cells (DCs) treated with mitomycin C (MMC) tolerize allogeneic T cells in vitro and this might be mediated by downregulation of CD80, CD86, and ICAM-1. Here we analyze the suppression of the T-cell response induced by MMC-DCs in vivo. Rats injected with allogeneic DCs developed a strong lymph node reaction, whereas MMC-DCs induced no reaction. The same effect was obtained when CD80, CD86, and ICAM-1 expressed by DCs were blocked with antibodies. One injection of donor MMC-DCs strongly prolonged heart allograft survival in a donor-specific manner. Suppression of rejection was also achieved when donor DCs were pretreated with a combination of anti-CD80, anti-CD86, and anti-ICAM-1 antibodies, showing that downregulation of these molecules confers the DCs inhibitory properties. We conclude that allogeneic MMC-DCs specifically inhibit the T-cell response in vivo and that downregulation of CD80, CD86, and ICAM-1 is a potential mechanism of this effect.     

A novel chemical compound, NK026680, targets dendritic cells to prolong recipient survival after rat liver grafting

BACKGROUND: There is great interest in the recently developed immunosuppressant NK026680, which is a derivative of triazolopyrimidine. Its unique chemical structure and action mechanism are completely different from those of conventional immunosuppressants. METHODS: The present study was designed to investigate the effects of NK026680 on rat bone-marrow-derived dendritic cell (BMDC) differentiation and maturation in an in vitro culture system and its applicability in liver transplantation. RESULTS: NK026680 inhibited T-cell proliferation stimulated by alloantigen in a dose-dependent manner, but did not inhibit concanavalin A. The populations of OX6+CD161a cells and CD86+CD161a cells were suppressed in NK026680-treated dendritic cells (DCs). Exposure of DCs to NK026680 downregulated the interleukin (IL)-12 (p40, p35), interferon-gamma mRNA expression and upregulated IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, in which impaired the ability of DC to stimulate T cell proliferation. Furthermore, oral administration of NK026680 for 14 days significantly prolonged liver allograft survival and limitation of T-cell responses and polarization toward a Th2 cytokine profile. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that NK026680 may have therapeutic potential for preventing allo-rejection in organ transplantation, acting at the step of immune response through inhibiting BMDC differentiation and maturation into potent antigen-presenting cells.