协同信号途径阻断和供体脾细胞输注诱导预存同种记忆性T淋巴细胞大鼠心脏移植物的耐受

Objective To induce the tolerance to cardiac allograft by combined blockade of OX40/OX40L and CD28/B7 co-stimulatory signaling and donor specific spleen cell transfusion in rat mod-els of pre-existent allogenic reactive memory T lymphocytes. Methods Lewis rats that underwent 3 days of adoptive transfer of donor specific CD8+ memory T cells, separated by immunomagnetic bead separation kit, received either separate or combined transfusion of AdCTLA4Ig, AdOX40Ig, donor spleen cells (DST) and transplantations of hearts of DA rats at the same time. Cardiac allografts were taken out 48 h after transplantation for histological analysis and cytokines expression ,and survival time of cardiac allografts with different treatments was observed. Results Compared with AdCTLA4Ig, AdOX40Ig and DST groups, AdCTLA4Ig + AdOX4OIg + DST group showed lower cardiac pathological grade with much lower expression level of IL-2 and IFN-γ,and much longer heart survival time. Conclusion Combined blockade of OX40/ OX40L and CD28/B7 and donor specific spleen cell transfusion could induce rat cardiac graft tolerance.     

神经干细胞移植延缓失神经肌萎的作用机制

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of transplanting spinal fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into the peripheral nerve for delaying muscle denervation atrophy. Methods Spinal. fetal NSCs were separated from spinal cord of enceinte 10 to 12 days SD rats, cultured and purified. After three passages, the formed NSC spheres were blew into single cell suspension ( 106/μl×5 μl) and transplanted into the distal part of the transected tibial nerve. 5 μl of cell culture medium was injected into the distal tibial nerve in the control group. Three and 5 months after the transplantation, the distal part of the tibial nerve and the triceps suraes were harvested and identified with specific markers, by means of indirect immunofluorescent staining to evaluate survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs in the nerve, and to observe the neuromuscular junctions.Results Compare to the control group, atrophy of the triceps suraes muscle was less severe 3 and 5 months after NSCs transplantation. Postsynaptic membrane was also better preserved in NSCs transplanted group. Five months after NSCs transplantation, new synapses (neuromuscular junction) formed in the denervated muscle.Conclusion NSCs transplantation can delay atrophy denervated muscles. NSCs transplantation can not only maintain the structure of postsynaptic membrane, but also form new synapse with the denervated muscle.     

神经干细胞移植延缓失神经肌萎的作用机制

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of transplanting spinal fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into the peripheral nerve for delaying muscle denervation atrophy. Methods Spinal. fetal NSCs were separated from spinal cord of enceinte 10 to 12 days SD rats, cultured and purified. After three passages, the formed NSC spheres were blew into single cell suspension ( 106/μl×5 μl) and transplanted into the distal part of the transected tibial nerve. 5 μl of cell culture medium was injected into the distal tibial nerve in the control group. Three and 5 months after the transplantation, the distal part of the tibial nerve and the triceps suraes were harvested and identified with specific markers, by means of indirect immunofluorescent staining to evaluate survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs in the nerve, and to observe the neuromuscular junctions.Results Compare to the control group, atrophy of the triceps suraes muscle was less severe 3 and 5 months after NSCs transplantation. Postsynaptic membrane was also better preserved in NSCs transplanted group. Five months after NSCs transplantation, new synapses (neuromuscular junction) formed in the denervated muscle.Conclusion NSCs transplantation can delay atrophy denervated muscles. NSCs transplantation can not only maintain the structure of postsynaptic membrane, but also form new synapse with the denervated muscle.     

神经干细胞移植延缓失神经肌萎的作用机制

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of transplanting spinal fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into the peripheral nerve for delaying muscle denervation atrophy. Methods Spinal. fetal NSCs were separated from spinal cord of enceinte 10 to 12 days SD rats, cultured and purified. After three passages, the formed NSC spheres were blew into single cell suspension ( 106/μl×5 μl) and transplanted into the distal part of the transected tibial nerve. 5 μl of cell culture medium was injected into the distal tibial nerve in the control group. Three and 5 months after the transplantation, the distal part of the tibial nerve and the triceps suraes were harvested and identified with specific markers, by means of indirect immunofluorescent staining to evaluate survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs in the nerve, and to observe the neuromuscular junctions.Results Compare to the control group, atrophy of the triceps suraes muscle was less severe 3 and 5 months after NSCs transplantation. Postsynaptic membrane was also better preserved in NSCs transplanted group. Five months after NSCs transplantation, new synapses (neuromuscular junction) formed in the denervated muscle.Conclusion NSCs transplantation can delay atrophy denervated muscles. NSCs transplantation can not only maintain the structure of postsynaptic membrane, but also form new synapse with the denervated muscle.     

神经干细胞移植延缓失神经肌萎的作用机制

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of transplanting spinal fetal neural stem cells (NSCs) into the peripheral nerve for delaying muscle denervation atrophy. Methods Spinal. fetal NSCs were separated from spinal cord of enceinte 10 to 12 days SD rats, cultured and purified. After three passages, the formed NSC spheres were blew into single cell suspension ( 106/μl×5 μl) and transplanted into the distal part of the transected tibial nerve. 5 μl of cell culture medium was injected into the distal tibial nerve in the control group. Three and 5 months after the transplantation, the distal part of the tibial nerve and the triceps suraes were harvested and identified with specific markers, by means of indirect immunofluorescent staining to evaluate survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs in the nerve, and to observe the neuromuscular junctions.Results Compare to the control group, atrophy of the triceps suraes muscle was less severe 3 and 5 months after NSCs transplantation. Postsynaptic membrane was also better preserved in NSCs transplanted group. Five months after NSCs transplantation, new synapses (neuromuscular junction) formed in the denervated muscle.Conclusion NSCs transplantation can delay atrophy denervated muscles. NSCs transplantation can not only maintain the structure of postsynaptic membrane, but also form new synapse with the denervated muscle.     

Composite mandibular allografts in canines

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of transplanting composite mandibular allografts to repair large mandibular defects.Methods:Three composite mandibular transplantation models were established.The first model consisted of hemimandible with the attached teeth,muscle and skin,and oral mucosa.The second model was transplanted in the same way with the first one excluding oral mucosa and some teeth,and third one excluding the oral mucosa and all dental crowns.Fourteen transplanting operations were performed in canines.Cyclosporine A and methylprednisone were given for immunosuppression.Results:The composite mandibular organs had an effective and closed return circuit.Transplantation of vascularized allograft or mandibular compound organs was feasible.Two longest time survivors of 67d and 76d were in the third model group.Cyclosporine A was successful in suppressing rejection of transplanted composite allograft and prolonging survival time of transplantation models.Conclusions:The composite mandibular allografts were available with large block of living composite tissue,and helpful in restoration of appearance and function for severe mandibular defects.     

含不同浓度乳化异氟醚的停跳液对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响

Objective To investigate the effects of cardioplegic solution containing different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods Fifty-six male SD rats, weighing 180-250 g, were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20% urethane 1 g/kg and heparin 1 000 U/kg. Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Fifty-six isolated hearts were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n = 8 each) : St. Thomas cardioplegic solution group (group C) and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 6 different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane groups (group E1-6 ). After 20 min equilibration, cardiac arrest was induced with St. Thomas cardioplegic solution 20 ml and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 0.28, 0.56, 1.12, 1.68, 2.24 and 2.80 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane 20 ml at 4℃for 45 min followed by 60 min reperfusion in group C and E1-6 respectively. HR, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and + dp/dtmax were recorded at the end of 20 min equilibration, 20, 40 and 60 min of reperfusion. Coronary effluent 1.5 ml was collected for determination of LDH and SOD activity and the concentration of cTnI. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, the area of myocardial infarction was calculated. Results Compared with group C, HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly higher, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration lower, and the area of myocardial infarction lower in group E4, and HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E6 and E6 ( P < 0.05) , but there was no significant difference in the above indices between group E1-3 and group C ( P > 0.05) . HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E1-3-5-6 than in group E4 (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 1.68 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane can attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolatede rat hearts.     

含不同浓度乳化异氟醚的停跳液对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响

Objective To investigate the effects of cardioplegic solution containing different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods Fifty-six male SD rats, weighing 180-250 g, were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20% urethane 1 g/kg and heparin 1 000 U/kg. Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Fifty-six isolated hearts were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n = 8 each) : St. Thomas cardioplegic solution group (group C) and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 6 different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane groups (group E1-6 ). After 20 min equilibration, cardiac arrest was induced with St. Thomas cardioplegic solution 20 ml and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 0.28, 0.56, 1.12, 1.68, 2.24 and 2.80 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane 20 ml at 4℃for 45 min followed by 60 min reperfusion in group C and E1-6 respectively. HR, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and + dp/dtmax were recorded at the end of 20 min equilibration, 20, 40 and 60 min of reperfusion. Coronary effluent 1.5 ml was collected for determination of LDH and SOD activity and the concentration of cTnI. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, the area of myocardial infarction was calculated. Results Compared with group C, HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly higher, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration lower, and the area of myocardial infarction lower in group E4, and HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E6 and E6 ( P < 0.05) , but there was no significant difference in the above indices between group E1-3 and group C ( P > 0.05) . HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E1-3-5-6 than in group E4 (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 1.68 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane can attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolatede rat hearts.     

含不同浓度乳化异氟醚的停跳液对大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响

Objective To investigate the effects of cardioplegic solution containing different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. Methods Fifty-six male SD rats, weighing 180-250 g, were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 20% urethane 1 g/kg and heparin 1 000 U/kg. Their hearts were excised and perfused in a Langendorff apparatus. Fifty-six isolated hearts were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n = 8 each) : St. Thomas cardioplegic solution group (group C) and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 6 different concentrations of emulsified isoflurane groups (group E1-6 ). After 20 min equilibration, cardiac arrest was induced with St. Thomas cardioplegic solution 20 ml and St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 0.28, 0.56, 1.12, 1.68, 2.24 and 2.80 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane 20 ml at 4℃for 45 min followed by 60 min reperfusion in group C and E1-6 respectively. HR, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and + dp/dtmax were recorded at the end of 20 min equilibration, 20, 40 and 60 min of reperfusion. Coronary effluent 1.5 ml was collected for determination of LDH and SOD activity and the concentration of cTnI. At the end of 60 min reperfusion, the area of myocardial infarction was calculated. Results Compared with group C, HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly higher, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration lower, and the area of myocardial infarction lower in group E4, and HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E6 and E6 ( P < 0.05) , but there was no significant difference in the above indices between group E1-3 and group C ( P > 0.05) . HR, LVDP, + dp/dtmax and SOD activity were significantly lower, LVEDP, LDH activity and cTnI concentration higher, and the area of myocardial infarction higher in group E1-3-5-6 than in group E4 (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion St. Thomas cardioplegic solution containing 1.68 mmol/L emulsified isoflurane can attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolatede rat hearts.     

Acidosis, not azotemia, stimulates branched-chain, amino acid catabolism in uremic rats

To investigate branched-chain, amino acid metabolism (BCAA) in muscle in chronic renal failure (CRF), we studied rats with moderately severe uremia (PUN 110 approximately mg/dl) and spontaneous metabolic acidosis (bicarbonate, 19 +/- 1 mEq/liter). Plasma BCAA levels in CRF compared to pair-fed control rats were approximately 15% lower and muscle valine was 93 microM lower (P less than 0.05). BCAA metabolism was measured in incubated epitrochlearis muscles using L-[1-14C]valine or L-[1-14C]leucine in the presence and absence of insulin. BCAA decarboxylation was increased (P less than 0.05) and insulin-stimulated BCAA incorporation into protein was blunted (P less than 0.05) by CRF. Since we have found that metabolic acidosis, by itself, stimulates muscle branched-chain, ketoacid dehydrogenase activity, another group of CRF and control rats was given NaHCO3 which corrected the acidosis, but not the azotemia. BCAA decarboxylation in muscle was reduced in CRF rats given NaHCO3, and this was reflected in increased plasma and muscle BCAA concentrations. We conclude that in CRF, chronic metabolic acidosis stimulates BCAA decarboxylation in skeletal muscle and this could contribute to the reduced intra- and extracellular concentrations of BCAA. Correction of acidosis should be a goal of therapy in CRF, especially when dietary regimens restrict intake of BCAA.     

Neutrophil mediated smooth muscle cell loss precedes allograft vasculopathy

Background  

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (AV) is a pathological process of vascular remodeling leading to late graft loss following cardiac transplantation. While there is consensus that AV is alloimmune mediated, and evidence that the most important alloimmune target is medial smooth muscle cells (SMC), the role of the innate immune response in the initiation of this disease is still being elucidated. As ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury plays a pivotal role in the initiation of AV, we hypothesize that IR enhances the early innate response to cardiac allografts.     

Role of CD8+ lymphocytes in chronic rejection of transplanted hearts

BACKGROUND: The contribution of CD8(+) lymphocytes to the pathogenesis of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, or chronic rejection in heart transplants, remains undefined. We used both major histocompatibility complex class I mismatched and major histocompatibility complex class II mismatched models of cardiac allograft vasculopathy to characterize the role of CD8(+) lymphocytes in the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. METHODS: Donor hearts from B10.A mice were transplanted into B10.BR recipients (major histocompatibility complex class I mismatched). Donor hearts were harvested at 1, 7, 14, and 30 days after transplantation and (1) quantitated morphometrically for lesion development, (2) stained immunohistochemically, or (3) digested for isolation of graft-infiltrating cells. The cytotoxic phenotype of graft-infiltrating CD8(+) lymphocytes was determined with flow cytometry. Intracellular cytokine staining of CD8(+) and CD4(+) lymphocytes for interleukin 2, interferon g, interleukin 4, and interleukin 10 was performed with 2-color flow cytometry. Finally, B6.C-H2(bm12) donor hearts were transplanted into either C57BL/6 wild-type (major histocompatibility complex class II mismatched) or CD8 -/- knockout recipients and examined for the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. RESULTS: In the major histocompatibility complex class I mismatched model, CD8(+) lymphocytes were the predominant T-lymphocyte subset that infiltrated the allografts and demonstrated markers of activation. The intracellular cytokine-staining assay demonstrated that CD8(+) lymphocytes were the primary sources of allograft interleukin 2 and interferon gamma. Intimal lesions developed in the allografts by day 14 (12.0% +/- 4.0%) and further increased by day 30 (44.0% +/- 5.0%). In the major histocompatibility complex class II mismatched model, the donor hearts in the CD8 -/- knockout recipients had substantially less severe intimal lesions when compared with the donor hearts in wild-type recipients (19.0% +/- 6.0% vs 50.0% +/- 7.0%, respectively; P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: In both major histocompatibility complex class I and II mismatched models, CD8(+) lymphocytes contribute significantly to chronic rejection. The findings of this study suggest that control of chronic rejection requires interventions directed at CD8(+) lymphocytes.     

Peritransplant streptavidin recipient treatment prolongs rat cardiac allograft survival

BACKGROUND: Because streptavidin shows high localization in inflamed tissues, it might also interfere with the proliferation of cells involved in allograft rejection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Treatment of na?ve ACI recipients with 20 mg/kg streptavidin i.p. alone significantly prolonged Lewis cardiac allografts from a mean survival time of 9.8+/-0.7 days in controls to 19.8+/-6.5 days, with one recipient accepting the graft permanently (>250 days). Peritransplant streptavidin treatment combined with 0.5 ml of antilymphocyte serum (ALS) transient immunosuppression led to permanent graft survival (>250 days) in 6 of 10 recipients. Second-set skin grafts performed 60 days after the primary cardiac allograft were prolonged to 45 days, whereas the third party Wistar-Furth (WF) skin grafts were rejected in 15 days without the rejection of the primary Lewis cardiac allografts. Pathology of transplanted cardiac allografts at 100 days showed no mononuclear cell infiltration or chronic allograft vasculopathy. Streptavidin given for 5 days at 20 mg/kg caused a moderate initial weight loss but had no effect on hematologic, biochemical, and histologic parameters in the treated recipients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that peritransplant recipient treatment with streptavidin combined with peritransplant ALS induces prolonged cardiac and second-set skin allograft survival. We conclude that recipient peritransplant streptavidin treatment may provide a new strategy for the induction of transplant tolerance.     

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.     

The natural killer cell activating receptor,NKG2D,is critical to antibody-dependent chronic rejection in heart transplantation

Chronic rejection is among the most pressing clinical challenges in solid organ transplantation. Interestingly, in a mouse model of heterotopic heart transplantation, antibody-dependent, natural killer (NK) cell-mediated chronic cardiac allograft vasculopathy occurs in some donor–recipient strain combinations, but not others. In this study, we sought to identify the mechanism underlying this unexplained phenomenon. Cardiac allografts from major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatched donors were transplanted into immune-deficient C57Bl/6.rag^−/− recipients, followed by administration of a monoclonal antibody against the donor MHC class I antigen. We found marked allograft vasculopathy in hearts from C3H donors, but near-complete protection of BALB/c allografts from injury. We found no difference in recipient NK cell phenotype or intrinsic responsiveness to activating signals between recipients of C3H versus BALB/c allografts. However, cardiac endothelial cells from C3H allografts showed an approximately twofold higher expression of Rae-1, an activating ligand of the NK cell receptor natural killer group 2D (NKG2D). Importantly, the administration of a neutralizing antibody against NKG2D abrogated the development of allograft vasculopathy in recipients of C3H allografts, even in the presence of donor-specific antibodies. Therefore, the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D is necessary in this model of chronic cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and strain-dependent expression of NK activating ligands correlates with the development of this disease.     

Co-transplantation of donor-derived hepatocytes induces long-term tolerance to cardiac allografts in a rat model

BACKGROUND: Liver allografts transplanted between MHC-disparate mice, rats, and swine are spontaneously accepted in most strain combinations without requirement for immunosuppression. The underlying mechanism has, however, remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that co-transplantation of donor-derived hepatocytes protect Lewis (RT1.A1) cardiac allografts from acute and chronic rejection in DA (RT1.Aa) recipients indefinitely. METHODS: Livers of donor Lewis rats were harvested and the hepatocytes separated from hepatic leukocytes by collagenase digestion and gradient separation. DA recipient animals were transplanted Lewis cardiac allografts and simultaneously intraportally infused either Lewis-derived hepatocytes or hepatic leukocytes. Recipient animals were either not further treated or received a single dose of 15 mg/kg cyclosporine. RESULTS: Donor hepatocytes alone significantly protected syngeneic cardiac allografts from rejection, whereas hepatic leukocytes failed to influence graft survival. In combination with cyclosporine, recipient cardiac allografts were indefinitely protected from rejection. Graft-infiltrating cells in tolerant animals presented as clusters of CD4+ T cells and stained mostly positive for interleukin-4, whereas graft-infiltrating cells in rejected allografts were predominantly positive for interferon-gamma. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes derived from tolerant animals protected Lewis cardiac allografts from rejection in DA recipients without immunosuppression. In contrast, hepatic leukocytes protected only 50% of the allografts from rejection. CONCLUSION: We propose that donor hepatocytes induce permanent engraftment of syngeneic allografts by establishing a Th2 type alloresponse that is transferable to new graft recipients. The results of this study demonstrate that liver parenchymal cells significantly mediate spontaneously liver-induced tolerance.     

Antibody and complement mediated injury in transplants following sensitization by allogeneic blood transfusion

BACKGROUND: Many patients on the waiting list for transplants are sensitized from previous blood transfusions, pregnancy, or transplants. We investigated the role of complement in acute and chronic pathology in hearts transplanted to sensitized rats. METHODS: Blood was transfused from allogeneic PVG.R8 rats or control isogeneic PVG.1U rats to C6-sufficient and -deficient PVG.1U rats. Three weeks later hearts were transplanted from PVG.R8 donors and low-dose cyclosporin A was initiated. RESULTS: Allogeneic but not isogeneic blood transfusion elicited strong immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG1 and IgG2b alloantibody responses. Sensitization caused accelerated acute rejection of cardiac allografts by C6-sufficient recipients (4 days). In contrast, allografts functioned over 40 days in all C6-deficient recipients, but sensitization caused increased interstitial fibrosis and chronic vasculopathy. Circulating alloantibodies were associated with deposits of C4d on the vascular endothelium together with pericapillary accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the grafts. In contrast, T cells accumulated in periarterial lymphatics that did not have C4d deposits. CONCLUSIONS: Presensitization by allogeneic blood transfusion causes accelerated acute graft rejection in the presence of the complete complement cascade. In the absence of C6, macrophages colocalized with deposits of C4d and T cells accumulated in the periarterial lymphatics.