CTLA-41g in combination with anti-CD40L prolongs xenograft survival and inhibits anti-gal ab production in GT-Ko mice

Am J Transplant. 2002 Jan;2(1):41-7. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-6143.2002.020108.x.

Abstract

The generation of GT-Ko mice has provided unique opportunities to study allograft and xenograft rejection in the context of anti-alpha1,3-Gal antibody (anti-Gal Ab) responses. In this study we used the allotransplantation model of C3H hearts into galactosyltransferase-deficient (GT-Ko) mice and the xenotransplantation model of baby Lewis rat hearts into GT-Ko mice to investigate the ability of CTLA-41g in combination with anti-CD40L mAb to control graft rejection and anti-Gal Ab production. Murine CTLA-41g or anti-CD40L monotherapy prolonged allograft survival, and the combination of these reagents was most immunosuppressive. However short-term treatment with murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (muCTLA-41g) and/or CD40 ligand (CD154) monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD40L mAbs) was unable to induce indefinite allograft survival. CTLA-4-immunoglobulin fusion protein (CTLA-41g) or anti-CD40L monotherapy only marginally prolonged xenograft survival; the combination of human CTLA-41g and anti-CD40L significantly prolonged xenograft survival (74days), while the combination of murine CTLA-41g and anti-CD40L resulted in graft survival of >120days. CTLA-41g or anti-CD40L monotherapy or the combination of these agents inhibited the production of alloAbs, including anti-Gal Abs. CTLA-41g or anti-CD40L monotherapy partially controlled xenoAb and anti-Gal Ab production, while the combination was more effective. These observations corroborate our previous observations that humoral, including anti-Gal Ab, responses and rejection following allograft or concordant xenograft transplantation in GT-Ko mice are T-cell dependent and can be controlled by costimulation blockade.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation / therapeutic use*
  • CD40 Ligand / immunology*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Galactosyltransferases / deficiency
  • Galactosyltransferases / genetics
  • Galactosyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Graft Survival / immunology*
  • Heart Transplantation / immunology*
  • Immunoconjugates*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Ctla4 protein, rat
  • Immunoconjugates
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Abatacept
  • Galactosyltransferases