Vascularized composite allograft transplant survival in miniature swine

Cetrulo Jr., C. L. et al. (2013) Vascularized composite allograft transplant survival in miniature swine. Transplantation, 96(11), pp. 966-974. (doi: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3182a579d0) (PMID:24056624) (PMCID:PMC3902136)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Background: We have previously reported that Massachusetts General Hospital miniature swine, which had accepted class I–mismatched kidneys long-term after 12 days of high-dose cyclosporine A, uniformly accepted donor-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)–matched kidneys without immunosuppression but rejected donor MHC-matched split-thickness skin grafts by day 25, without changes in renal graft function or antidonor in vitro responses. We have now tested whether this “split tolerance” would also be observed for the primarily vascularized skin of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs). Methods: Group 1 animals (n=3) received donor MHC-matched VCAs less than 70 days after primary kidney transplant (KTx). Group 2 animals (n=3) received a second donor-matched kidney transplant followed by a donor-matched VCA more than 200 days after primary KTx. Results: Animals in Group 1 lost the epidermis on days 28, 30, and 40, with all other components of the VCAs remaining viable. Histology showed cellular infiltration localized to dermal-epidermal junction. One of three recipients of VCAs in Group 2, accepted all components of the VCA, including epidermis (>200 days). The other two recipients lost only the epidermis on days 45 and 85, with survival of the remainder of the VCA long-term. Conclusions: All tissues of a VCA are accepted long-term on animals tolerant of class I–mismatched kidneys, with the exception of epidermis, the survival of which is markedly prolonged compared with split-thickness skin grafts but not indefinite. Exposure of tolerant animals to second donor-matched kidneys before VCA increases the longevity of the VCA epidermis, suggesting an increase in the immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with tolerance of the kidney.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Leonard, Dr David
Authors: Cetrulo Jr., C. L., Torabi, R., Scalea, J. R., Shimizu, A., Leto Barone, A. A., Gillon, B. C., Tasaki, M., Leonard, D. A., Cormack, T. A., Villani, V., Randolph, M. A., Sachs, D. H., and Yamada, K.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Transplantation
Publisher:Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:0041-1337
ISSN (Online):1534-6080

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record