Inhibition of complement, evoked antibody, and cellular response prevents rejection of pig-to-primate cardiac xenografts

Transplantation. 1996 Oct 15;62(7):1018-23. doi: 10.1097/00007890-199610150-00022.

Abstract

Complement (C) inhibition alone using a recombinant soluble form of complement receptor type 1 (sCR1) prevents hyperacute rejection but not subsequent irreversible accelerated acute rejection of discordant pig-to-cynomolgus monkey cardiac xenografts, which occurs within 1 week. To inhibit accelerated acute rejection, which is associated with a rise in serum xenoreactive antibody (Ab) and a cellular infiltrate, triple therapy with standard immunosuppressive agents (cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, and steroids [CCS]) was combined with continuous C inhibition using sCR1. Each of two monkeys that received sCR1 + CCS showed minimal evidence of rejection when killed on days 21 and 32 in comparison to a monkey that received sCR1 + subtherapeutic CCS (rejected at 11 days) and a control that received CCS alone (rejected at 38 min). Prolonged xenograft survival was associated with low Ab levels and a minimal cellular infiltrate, suggesting that combined inhibition of C, xenoreactive Ab responses, and cellular immunity may be a useful approach in overcoming the immune barriers to discordant xenotransplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • Complement Inactivator Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Receptors, Complement / immunology*
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Swine
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Complement Inactivator Proteins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Receptors, Complement
  • Steroids
  • soluble complement inhibitor 1
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclophosphamide