Long-term survival of hamster islet xenografts in mice under short-course treatment with nondepleting versus depleting anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies

ABSTRACT: Xenogeneic grafts provide a potential alternative to the current shortage of human organs for transplantation. However, the prevention of rejection and tolerance induction of xenografts still remain to be further explored. Islet xenografts appear more promising than vascularized whole organ xenografts and additionally also more resistant to the recurrence of autoimmune disease than allografts. Recently, the nondepleting monoclonal antibody (mAb), which blocks the CD4 molecule on lymphocytes, was reported to be able to induce tolerance in allotransplantation and CD4 positive cells were further confirmed to be a major factor responsible for cellular xenograft rejection. Therefore, we hypothesize that anti-CD4 nondepleting mAb could also be effective in protecting cellular xenografts and inducing unresponsiveness of recipients. We studied the effect of the nondepleting anti-CD4 mAb YTS177.9 on islet xenograft survival by using the hamster-to-mouse islet transplantation model. Results were compared with that of the depleting anti-CD4 mAb GK1.5 that was shown to have similar binding sites on the CD4 molecule to mAb YTS 177.9. Our data show that mAb YTS 177.9 did effectively prolong the survival of islet xenografts and, in addition, also successfully did induce long-term acceptance of 40% grafts after only three penoperative injections of 0.5 mg mAb per mouse. The average survival of the graft was markedly prolonged to >66.8±37.1 days compared with controls (8.3±1.4 days) or with the depleting anti-CD4 mAb GK1.5 (25.7±5.5 days). However, the latter displayed a more profound inhibition in in vitro and ex vivo mixed lymphocyte xenoreaction than mAb YTS 177.9. Moreover, the activity of this nondepleting mAb was found to be dose-dependent and 80% of grafts survived permanently when the dose was increased to six injections of 0.5 mg mAb. Like mAb GK1.5, mAb YTS 177.9 also prevented rejection when given after a delay of two days posttransplant. In addition, we found that neither depleting nor nondepleting anti-CD8 mAb was effective in this model. Our results strongly suggest that an anti-CD4 nondepleting or blocking mAb alone is able to induce long-term acceptance of islet xenografts and that blocking the CD4 molecule is significantly superior to depleting CD4 positive cells for the protection of islet xenografts. This may indicate that CD4 cells play a major role in xenograft tolerance induction.     

阻断糖尿病小鼠共刺激分子延长异种胰岛移植细胞功能

目的 阻断多种共刺激分子而诱导免疫耐受,以延长移植到糖尿病小鼠体内的猪胰岛细胞的功能.方法 将猪胰岛细胞移植于链脲佐菌素诱导的雄性C57BL/6糖尿病小鼠左肾被膜下,应用CTLA-4Ig融合蛋白、抗LFA-1抗体和抗CD40L抗体阻断多种其刺激分子,观察移植效果及移植物存活时间.结果 猪胰岛细胞移植后可降低糖尿病小鼠血糖;与对照组相比.实验组胰岛细胞存活时间明显延长,结论应用CTLA-4Ig融合蛋白、抗LFA-1抗体和抗CD40L抗体可延长异种移植胰岛细胞存活时间.     

Oral delivery of xeno-antigen combined with non-depleting anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody induces significantly prolonged survival of concordant skin xenograft

Abstract: Oral administration can induce unresponsiveness to protein antigens. Therefore, we examined whether oral administration of xeno-antigen could induce the prolonged survival of xenogeneic skin grafts. CBA mice were given 1 × 10⁷ SD rat splenocytes orally, 7 days before transplantation of a SD rat skin in the presence or absence of a non-depleting anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (YTS177, 200 µg/dose, −8 and −7 days relative to transplantation). All skin grafts survived with a median survival time (MST) of 62 days when xeno-antigens were administered orally in combination with anti-CD4 mAb. Mice treated with anti-CD4 mAb alone or oral administration of xeno-antigen alone induced modest prolonged survival of rat skin grafts (MST = 18 and 19 days, respectively) while naive mice rejected rat skin acutely (MST = 12 days). Oral administration alone or combined with anti-CD4 mAb reduced the level of xeno-antibody production compared with that in untreated mice after transplantation. Xenogeneic mixed leukocyte response was reduced when splenocytes from mice pre-treated with oral administration of xenogeneic cells were used as the responder compared with that in untreated mice. Oral delivery of xeno-antigen plus non-depleting anti-CD4 mAb can induce prolongation of concordant xenogeneic skin grafts.     

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.     

Adult porcine islet transplantation in baboons treated with conventional immunosuppression or a non-myeloablative regimen and CD154 blockade

The aim of the present study was to assess the survival of adult porcine islets transplanted into baboons receiving either (I) conventional triple drug immunosuppressive therapy or (2) a non-myeloablative regimen and an anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) aimed at tolerance-induction. Group 1 baboons (n = 3) were pancreatectomized prior to intraportal injection of 10,000 porcine islet equivalents (IE)/kg and immunosuppressed with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), cyclosporine and azathioprine. In Group 2 (n = 2), non-pancreatectomized baboons underwent induction therapy with whole body and thymic irradiation, and ATG. Extracorporeal immunoadsorption (EIA) of anti-Galalpha1,3Gal (Gal) antibody was carried out. Maintenance therapy was with cobra venom factor, cyclosporine. mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone and anti-CD154 mAb. Porcine islets were injected intraportally (14,000 and 32,000 IE/kg, respectively) and high-dose pig mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (3 x 10(10) cells/kg) were infused into a systemic vein. Porcine islets were also implanted in the sternomastoid muscle to facilitate subsequent biopsies. In both groups. porcine C-peptide was measured, and histological examination of liver or sternomastoid muscle biopsies was performed at regular intervals. In Group 1, total pancreatectomy reduccd human C-peptide to < 0.1 ng/ml and induced insulin-requiring diabetes. The transplantation of porcine islets was followed by normalization of glycemia for 15-24 h. Porcine C-peptide was detected only transiently immediately after porcine islet injection (maximum 0.12 ng/ml). Histological examination of liver biopsies taken between days 2 and 19 did not reveal viable islets, but necrotic cell structures with mononuclear cell infiltrates were identified in portal venules. In Group 2, injection of porcine islets into non-pancreatectomized recipients induced a transient hypoglycemia (2-4 h) requiring concentrated intravenous dextrose administration. Porcine C-peptide was detectable for 5 and 3 days (maximum 2.8 and 1.0 ng/ml), respectively. Baboon #4 died on day 12 from small bowel intussusception. Liver and sternomastoid muscle biopsies showed well-preserved porcine islets, staining positive for insulin and glucacon, without signs of rejection. In baboon #5, viable islets were detected in the sternomastoid muscle biopsy on day 14, but not on day 28 or thereafter. A progressive mononuclear cell and macrophage infiltration was seen in the biopsies. In conclusion, conventional immunosuppression allowed survival of porcine islets in baboons for < 24 h. The non-myeloablative regimen prolonged survival of porcine islets for > 14 days. However, despite depletion of T cells, anti-Gal antibody and complement, and CD154-hlockade, porcine islets were rejected by day 28. These results suggest that powerful innate immune responses are involved in rejection of discordant xenogencic islets.     

Experiences and problems pre-operative anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody infusion therapy with splenectomy and plasma exchange for ABO-incompatible living-donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: ABO-incompatible living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) requires a reduction of the anti-ABO antibody titer to <16 before transplantation, which is usually achieved by pre-operative plasma exchange (PE) or double-filtration plasmapheresis. ABO-incompatible transplantations have been performed after a splenectomy with heavy drug immunosupression plus B-cell-specific drugs. Here, we evaluated a pre-transplantation infusion protocol with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) for ABO-incompatible LDLT. METHODS: Between March 2002 and December 2005, 73 adult patients underwent LDLT without retransplantation in our institution. Among these cases, 57 were ABO-identical, 11 were ABO-compatible and five were ABO-incompatible. The rituximab infusion protocol consisted of a weekly infusion of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)) for three wk, which was administered to three of the five ABO-incompatible LDLT patients. All three patients underwent a pre-operative PE, as well as a splenectomy during the operation. A triple immunosuppression protocol of tacrolimus, low-dose steroids and mycophenolate mofetil (1500 mg/d) was administered post-operatively. In addition, the patients received a continuous intra-arterial infusion of prostaglandin E(1) and methylprednisolone, and a continuous intra-portal infusion of a protease inhibitor for three and two wk after transplantation, respectively. RESULTS: After the first rituximab infusion, the peripheral blood CD19(+) B cell count rapidly decreased to <1%. All three patients treated with rituximab subsequently received an ABO-incompatible LDLT, with donor/recipient blood groups of B/O, A(1)/B and A(1)/O. In two cases, the ABO-antibody level transiently increased post-operatively, then decreased and remained low. Rituximab infusion therapy did not develop any direct side effect except for mild allergic reaction to the first infusion, but post-operatively all three patients suffered a cytomegalovirus and were successfully treated with ganciclovir, and one patient had a MRSA-positive intra-abdominal abscess. Two patients are currently alive at 20 and 18 months respectively, and show normal graft-liver function. But one patient died of sepsis because of intra-abdominal abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Although the protocol of rituximab administration is a conventional and safe regimen with no major side effects, the development of a new protocol is needed for prevention of the infection with bone suppression.     

Successful rescue and maintenance of long-term remission of anti-HLA antibody-mediated acute allograft rejection by rituximab-containing therapy: case report

Abstract:  A 38-yr-old man with chronic renal failure received a second kidney transplantation from a cadaveric donor. Complement-dependent cytotoxicity cross-match (CDC) was negative against T cells, but positive with the B-cell warm test. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typing showed a one haplo-identical match. The blood type was compatible. He was treated with tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), methylpredonisolone (MP), and basiliximab as immunosuppressive therapy. A clinical episode graft biopsy and Flow-PRA on post-operative day (POD) 19 showed anti-HLA antibody-mediated acute rejection (AHR). The patient was treated with plasmapheresis (PP). Renal biopsy performed on POD 65 because of re-rise of serum creatinine level showed worsening of renal injury. The patient was treated with rituximab (100 mg/body) with PP and MP pulse therapy, followed by tacrolimus and MMF. Graft function thereafter improved. A renal allograft biopsy specimen on POD 300 and Flow-PRA showed the remission of AHR within one-yr after transplantation.     

Clinicopathological evaluation of renal allograft treated with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody

Abstract:  Twenty-seven living-donor kidney recipients were treated with the antibody against CD25 as the induction immunosuppressive agent. They did not develop acute rejection within 1 month after transplantation, and mean serum creatinine level at 1 month was 1.0 ± 0.4 mg/dL. There were no findings of acute rejection or drug-induced nephrotoxity in protocol biopsies at 1 month following transplantation. After 1 month had passed, acute rejection occurred in three cases. The pathological grade of acute rejection varied from borderline to grade III by Banff classification. The careful inspection is necessary to find out the occurrences of acute rejection more than 2 months after transplantation because immunological situation has been changing around this period.     

树突状细胞和CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在免疫耐受中的作用及关系

诱导免疫耐受具有高效、低毒、经济等优点,在器官移植中有着极其重要的意义.在建立免疫耐受中,树突状细胞(DC)起到克隆清除、克隆无能、表达T细胞抑制因子、选择性激活辅助T细胞和诱导调节性T细胞尤其是CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的产生等作用.而CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞主要以DC为作用靶点,影响其分化成熟,抑制DC向...     

Role of CD4+ T cells in the rat to mouse cardiac xenotransplantation

Abstract T cell subsets involved in rejection of xenografts were analyzed using a rat to mouse cardiac xenotransplant model. Proliferating response and interleulin-2 (IL-2) production in recipients' spleen cells were almost completely abrogated by elimination of L3T4⁺ T cells, but not by elimination of Lyt2.1⁺ T cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities were mediated by both L3T4⁺ and Lyt2.1⁺ T cells with the help of IL-2-producing L3T4⁺ T cells. Administration of anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) into recipient mice resulted in a significant prolongation of graft survival (mean graft survival was 29.2 days). Moreover, anti-L3T4 mAb treatment plus thymectomy led to indefinite graft survival. Anti-rat endothelial cell (EC) antibody production in the grafted mice was remarkably suppressed by anti-L3T4 mAb treatment. In contrast, Lyt2.1 mAb treatment did not prolong the graft survival and did not suppress anti-EC antibody production. These results indicated the absolute requirement of L3T4⁺ T cells in the rejection of rat to mouse cardiac xenografts.     

Delayed rejection of fetal pig pancreas in CD4 cell deficient mice was correlated with residual helper activity

CD4 cells have been shown to play a dominant role in the rejection of xenografts. Depletion of murine CD4 cells by injecting anti-CD4 antibody prolongs the graft survival, but does not prevent its rejection. For a more stable phenotype, we used genetically modified mice. To test whether the delayed rejection is caused by incomplete depletion of CD4 cells, we evaluated the response to fetal pig pancreas (FPP) xenografts in three types of CD4 cell deficient mice. They are MHC class II deficient mice (MHC II(o/o), CD4 deficient mice (CD4(o/o)) and a novel type of CD4 cell deficient mice (designated GK). GK mice were rendered permanently and completely CD4 deficient by transgenic expression of anti-CD4 antibody, whereas both MHC II(o/o) and CD4(o/o) mice have a residual helper cell population. FPP grafts in wild type mice were rejected within a week, whereas FPP grafts survived up to 4 weeks in MHC II(o/o) and CD4(o/o) mice. Survival of grafts in GK mice was even longer (8 weeks). Differences in histology were also noted. Rejecting grafts in MHC II(o/o) and wild-type mice were infiltrated with both eosinophils and mononuclear cells, whereas the infiltrates in CD4(o/o) and GK mice were exclusively mononuclear cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that they were primarily CD8 cells. The immune response to FPP was clearly different in the three types of CD4 cell deficient mice. Splenocytes of MHC II(o/o) 3 weeks post-transplant with FPP produced substantial amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-5, whereas splenocytes of CD4(o/o) mice produced low levels of IFN-gamma but no detectable IL-5. At similar times, these cytokines were not detected in GK mice. Furthermore, CD4(o/o) mice were capable of mounting helper dependent, although reduced, IgG responses to FPP antigens, while GK mice were not. The above results indicate that residual helper activity in some types of CD4 cell deficient mice could still contribute to xenograft rejection. Caution needs to be exercised where such mice are used as models of CD4 cell deficiency. Also, because there is eventual rejection of xenograft FPP in GK mice which lack detectable helper activity, we argue that these mice are a better model to investigate the involvement of CD4-independent rejection mechanisms.     

Effects of specific anti-B and/or anti-plasma cell immunotherapy on antibody production in baboons: depletion of CD20- and CD22-positive B cells does not result in significantly decreased production of anti-alphaGal antibody

Anti-Galalpha1-3Gal antibodies (antialphaGal Ab) are a major barrier to clinical xenotransplantation as they are believed to initiate both hyperacute and acute humoral rejection. Extracorporeal immunoadsorption (EIA) with alphaGal oligosaccharide columns temporarily depletes antialphaGal Ab, but their return is ultimately associated with graft destruction. We therefore assessed the ability of two immunotoxins (IT) and two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to deplete B and/or plasma cells both in vitro and in vivo in baboons, and to observe the rate of return of antialphaGal Ab following EIA. The effects of the mouse anti-human IT anti-CD22-ricin A (proportional to CD22-IT, directed against a B cell determinant) and anti-CD38-ricin A (proportional to CD38-IT, B and plasma cell determinant) and the mouse anti-human anti-CD38 mAb (proportional to CD38 mAb) and mouse/human chimeric anti-human anti-CD20 mAb (proportional to CD20 mAb, Rituximab, B cell determinant) on B and plasma cell depletion and antialphaGal Ab production were assessed both in vitro and in vivo in baboons (n = 9) that had previously undergone splenectomy. For comparison, two baboons received nonmyeloablative whole body irradiation (WBI) (300 cGy), and one received myeloablative WBI (900 cGy). Depletion of B cells was monitored by flow cytometry of blood, bone marrow (BM) and lymph nodes (LN), staining with anti-CD20 and/or anti-CD22 mAbs, and by histology of LN. EIA was carried out after the therapy and antialphaGal Ab levels were measured daily. In vitro proportional to CD22-IT inhibited protein synthesis in the human Daudi B cell line more effectively than proportional to CD38-IT. Upon differentiation of B cells into plasma cells, however, less inhibition of protein synthesis after proportional to CD22-IT treatment was observed. Depleting CD20-positive cells in vitro from a baboon spleen cell population already depleted of granulocytes, monocytes, and T cells led to a relative enrichment of CD20-negative cells, that is plasma cells, and consequently resulted in a significant increase in antialphaGal Ab production by the remaining cells, whereas depleting CD38-positive cells resulted in a significant decrease in antialphaGal Ab production. In vivo, WBI (300 or 900 cGy) resulted in 100% B cell depletion in blood and BM, > 80% depletion in LN, with substantial recovery of B cells after 21 days and only transient reduction in antialphaGal Ab after EIA. Proportional to CD22-IT depleted B cells by > 97% in blood and BM, and by 60% in LN, but a rebound of B cells was observed after 14 and 62 days in LN and blood, respectively. At 7 days, serum antialphaGal IgG and IgM Ab levels were reduced by a maximum of 40-45% followed by a rebound to levels up to 12-fold that of baseline antialphaGal Ab by day 83 in one baboon. The results obtained with proportional to CD38-IT were inconclusive. This may have been, in part, due to inadequate conjugation of the toxin. Cell coating was 100% with proportional to CD38 mAb, but no changes in antialphaGal Ab production were observed. Proportional to CD20 mAb resulted in 100% depletion of B cells in blood and BM, and 80% in LN, with recovery of B cells starting at day 42. Adding 150cGy WBI at this time led to 100% depletion of B cells in the BM and LN. Although B cell depletion in blood and BM persisted for > 3 months, the reduction of serum antialphaGal IgG or IgM Ab levels was not sustained beyond 2 days. Proportional to CD20 mAb + WBI totally and efficiently depleted CD20- and CD22-positive B cells in blood, BM, and LN for > 3 months in vivo, but there was no sustained clinically significant reduction in serum antialphaGal Ab. The majority of antibody secretors are CD38-positive cells, but targeting these cells in vitro or in vivo with proportional to CD38-IT was not very effective. These observations suggest that CD20-and CD22-positive B cells are not the major source of antialphaGal Ab production. Future efforts will be directed towards suppression of plasma cell function.     

Natural killer T cell facilitated engraftment of rat skin but not islet xenografts in mice

Abstract: Background: We have studied cellular components required for xenograft survival mediated by anti‐CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a transfusion of donor spleen cells and found that the elimination of CD4⁺ but not CD8⁺ cells significantly improves graft survival. A contribution of other cellular components, such as natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells, for costimulation blockade‐induced xenograft survival has not been clearly defined. We therefore tested the hypothesis that NK or NKT cells would promote rat islet and skin xenograft acceptance in mice. Methods: Lewis rat islets or skin was transplanted into wild type B6 mice or into B6 mice that were Jα18^null, CD1^null, or beta2 microglobulin (β2M)^null NK 1.1 depleted, or perforin^null. Graft recipients were pretreated with an infusion of donor derived spleen cells and a brief course of anti‐CD154 mAb treatments. Additional groups received mAb or cells only. Results: We first observed that the depletion of NK1.1 cells does not significantly interfere with graft survival in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. We used NKT cell deficient B6 mice to test the hypothesis that NKT cells are involved in islet and skin xenograft survival in our model. These mice bear a null mutation in the gene for the Jα18 component of the T‐cell receptor. The component is uniquely associated with NKT cells. We found no difference in islet xenograft survival between Jα18^null and wild type B6 mice. In contrast, median skin graft survival appeared shorter in Jα18^null recipients. These data imply a role for Jα18⁺ NKT cells in skin xenograft survival in treated mice. In order to confirm this inference, we tested skin xenograft survival in B6 CD1^null mice because NKT cells are CD1 restricted. Results of these trials demonstrate that the absence of CD1⁺ cells adversely affects rat skin graft survival. An additional assay in β2M^null mice demonstrated a requirement for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression in the graft host, and we demonstrate that CD1 is the requisite MHC component. We further demonstrated that, unlike reports for allograft survival, skin xenograft survival does not require perforin‐secreting NK cells. Conclusions: We conclude that MHC class I⁺ CD1⁺ Jα18⁺ NKT cells promote the survival of rat skin but not rat islet xenografts. These studies implicate different mechanisms for inducing and maintaining islet vs. skin xenograft survival in mice treated with donor antigen and anti‐CD154 mAb, and further indicate a role for NKT cells but not NK cells in skin xenograft survival.     

CTLA4-Ig和抗CD40L单克隆抗体抑制大鼠胰腺移植急性排斥反应的机制

目的探讨细胞毒T淋巴细胞相关抗原4免疫球蛋白（CTLA4-Ig）和抗CD40L单克隆抗体对异基因大鼠胰腺移植后急性排斥反应的作用及其相关机制。方法建立大鼠的胰十二指肠移植模型，供者为F344大鼠，受者为经链尿佐菌素诱导为糖尿病模型的Lewis大鼠，受者移植后分为4组，每组12只。A组：为应用生理盐水对照组；B组：应用CTLA4-Ig200μg；C组：应用抗CD40L单克隆抗体200μg；D组：联合应用CTLA4-Ig和抗CD40L单克隆抗体各200μg。各组分别于术后第2d腹腔注射相应的药物。术后1、4、7、10d分别取各组的移植胰腺，进行常规病理检测；采用逆转录聚合酶链（RT-PCR）法检测移植物白细胞介素2（IL-2）、白细胞介素4（IL-4）、白细胞介素10（IL-10）、γ干扰素（IFN-γ）的表达；术后第1、4、7、10d取受者外周血，采用流式细胞术计数T细胞亚群CD3^＋、CD4^＋和CD8^＋；术后第4d取移植胰计数CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞。结果病理检测显示：与A组相比，B、C组排斥反应明显减弱，D组几乎未发生排斥反应；B、C、D组IL-2的表达高峰延迟，且表达水平较A组有不同程度的降低，D组又较B、C组表达水平下降，差异有统计学意义；B、C、D组IFN-γ的表达水平较A组有不同程度的降低，但D组与B、C组的差异不显著；B、C组IL-4的表达水平较A组有不同程度的升高，D组较A、B、C组表达水平下降，差异有统计学意义；B、C组IL-10的表达水平较A组有不同程度的升高，D组与A组差异不显著；B、C、D组CD3^＋、CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞数均相对减少，CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞数有不同程度升高，与A组比较，D组的差异最为显著。结论联合应用CTLA4-Ig和抗CD40L单克隆抗体能更有效地抑制大鼠胰腺移植后排斥反应，其机制可能与Th1／Th2型细胞因子偏移及CD4^＋CD25^＋调节性T细胞增多等有关。     

联合应用CTLA-4Ig及抗ICOS单克隆抗体延长小鼠移植胰岛存活时间

目的探讨共刺激信号阻断剂细胞毒T淋巴细胞相关抗原4免疫球蛋白（CTLA-4Ig）及抗共同刺激分子ICOS单克隆抗体（ICOSmAb）对移植胰岛功能的影响。方法以BALB／c小鼠为供者，C57BL／6糖尿病小鼠为受者，进行同种胰岛细胞移植。将移植后的小鼠随机分成4组，每组10只。ICOS组：移植后1、3、5d腹腔内注射ICOSmAb 100μg／kg；CTLA4组：移植后0、2、4d腹腔内注射CTLA-4Ig50μg／kg；联合阻断组：移植后腹腔注射CTLA-4Ig和ICOSmAb，用法同CTLA4组和ICOS组；对照组：单纯胰岛移植，不注射CTLA-4Ig和ICOSmAb。观察术后移植物存活时间和移植胰岛的病理改变；逆转录聚合酶链法（RT-PCR）检测移植胰岛组织中白细胞介素2（IL-2）、白细胞介素10（IL-10）mRNA的表达情况；应用流式细胞仪检测CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞表达情况。结果联合阻断组的小鼠移植胰岛存活时间较其它3组明显延长，移植胰岛的细胞形态经光镜检查接近正常。联合阻断组与其它3组比较，IL-2mRNA表达减少，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），IL-10mRNA的表达差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；移植术后21d，CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞表达上调不明显。结论应用CTLA-4Ig和ICOSmAb联合阻断CD28和共同刺激分子ICOS，可以明显的抑制排斥反应，延长移植胰岛的存活时间及存活率。     

体外转染可溶性IL-1RI-Ig基因延长糖尿病小鼠移植胰岛细胞存活时间

目的 探讨糖尿病小鼠移植经可溶性白细胞介素1(IL-1)受体胞外段Fc融合蛋白(sIL-1RI-Ig)基因修饰的胰岛细胞对延长移植物存活时间的作用及机制.方法 将Ad-sIL-1RI-Ig体外转染Balb/c小鼠的胰岛细胞,并将其移植给糖尿病C57BL/6小鼠,观察移植物的存活时间,并检测移植局部组织炎症细胞的浸润以及炎症细胞因子的表达.结果 糖尿病小鼠移植转染sIL-1RI-Ig基因的胰岛细胞后,血糖水平很快下降至正常范围,胰岛移植物存活时间达(39±3)d,而移植正常胰岛细胞的小鼠胰岛移植物存活时间为(9±2)d(P<0.01).糖尿病小鼠移植转染sIL-1RI-Ig基因的胰岛细胞后,胰岛素分泌量随糖负荷增加而升高,并与胰岛素分泌功能正常的小鼠呈相似变化趋势(P>0.05).糖尿病小鼠移植转染sIL-1RI-Ig基因的胰岛细胞后,移植局部组织表达肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)和RANTES等水平明显下调;病理学观察发现移植局部组织浸润的炎症细胞明显少于移植正常胰岛细胞的小鼠.结论 sIL-1RI-Ig基因转染胰岛细胞后,可通过表达sIL-1RI-Ig,阻断IL-1的作用,降低TNF-α、IFN-γ、RANTES等细胞因子的表达,从而减轻排斥反应,延长胰岛细胞移植物的存活时间和提高胰岛素分泌功能.     

携带供者抗原的第三方树突状细胞诱导小鼠皮肤移植耐受的研究

目的 了解携带供者抗原的第三方树突状细胞(DC)是否具有与供者源未成熟DC相似的免疫功能.方法 雌性C57BL/6小鼠、BALB/c小鼠和昆明小鼠分别为皮肤移植的供者、受者和第三方.将40只BALB/c小鼠分为对照组、环磷酰胺组、供者源未成熟DC组、第三方未成熟DC组、携带供者抗原第三方DC组,每组8只.后4组大鼠皮肤移植术前4 d用环磷酰胺(200 mg/kg)预处理,对照组同法给予等量等渗盐水.后3组术前2 d用1 ml相应DC悬液(1×107个/ml)预处理,并在术后12 d重复给予1 ml DC悬液(1×107个/ml)1次;前2组于上述2个时相点同法给予等量等渗盐水.记录各组皮片平均成活时间(MST)并于术后5 d对皮片进行组织学观察.结果 与对照组(16.1±3.5)d比较,供者源未成熟DC组和携带供者抗原第三方DC组小鼠移植皮片的MST明显延长,分别为(38.3±7.7)、(34.9±7.7)d(P＜0.01);携带供者抗原第三方DC组与供者源未成熟DC组皮片的MST相近(P＞0.05),但与第三方未成熟DC组(23.7±2.7)d比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).镜下见携带供者抗原第三方DC组移植皮片结构较清楚、排列有序,与供者源未成熟DC组情况相近.结论 携带供者抗原的第三方DC与供者源未成熟DC,均可在一定程度上建立抗原特异性免疫耐受.     

CTLA4 engagement is required for induction of murine liver transplant spontaneous tolerance.

Liver transplantation in mice is accepted spontaneously in all strain combinations. The mechanisms remain largely undefined. We hypothesize that signaling via the B7-CTLA4 receptor pathway is required for induction of liver transplant tolerance. Liver transplantation was performed from B10 (H2(b)) to C3H (H2(k)) mice. The recipients received anti-mouse CTLA4 mAb 0.25 mg i.p. every other day post-operatively. Liver grafts in anti-CTLA4 mAb treated recipients were acutely rejected. The allo-specific proliferative responses, anti-donor CTL and NK cell activities of GIC and SC and the serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 from anti-CTLA4 mAb treated recipients were elevated significantly in comparison to the control mice. The frequency of IFN-gamma and IL-2 producing cells were markedly increased also in the anti-CTLA4 treated recipients. The immunohistology of liver grafts from anti-CTLA4 mAb treated mice showed extensively increased lymphocyte infiltration in the portal and general parenchymal areas, and expanded T-cell area in the spleen, with a reduction in the frequency of apoptotic cells observed by TUNEL staining compared with control mice. Thus CTLA4 signaling is critical for murine liver transplant tolerance induction. CTLA4 blockade promotes donor specific T-cell activation, cytotoxicity and Th1 polarization; protects alloreactive T cells from apoptotic death and induces liver allograft acute rejection.     

The induction of operational tolerance is not prevented by simultaneous administration of cyclosporin A1

In this study, the effect of combining anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and cyclosporin (CyA) therapy at the time of transplantation was examined. A mouse cardiac allograft model was used. Anti-CD4 mAb administered perioperatively induces long-term survival. The addition of a short course of CyA given subcutaneously in a regimen of either a high-dose treatment or a standard dose treatment to the anti-CD4 mAb treatment protocol did not have a detrimental effect on graft survival. Despite having no significant effect on graft survival, the addition of CyA to the treatment protocol did result in a significant decrease in the level of IL-2 present in the hearts 7 days after transplantation. The decrease in IL-2 production was directly related to the presence of CyA in vivo. When CyA treatment was continued throughout the period during which unresponsiveness to the graft is induced by anti-CD4 mAb therapy, 50 % of the grafted hearts were rejected once the CyA was discontinued. In conclusion, the combined use of anti-CD4 mAb therapy and CyA did not have a negative effect on graft survival in this model when the two agents were used concurrently at the time of transplantation. Received: 2 October 1996 Received after revision: 31 January 1997 Accepted: 5 February 1997