Donor CD47 controls T cell alloresponses and is required for tolerance induction following hepatocyte allotransplantation

Sci Rep. 2016 May 27:6:26839. doi: 10.1038/srep26839.

Abstract

CD47-deficient hepatocyte transplantation induces rapid innate immune cell activation and subsequent associated graft loss in syngeneic recipients. However, the role of donor CD47 in regulation of T-cell alloresponses is poorly understood. We addressed this question by assessing OVA-specific immune responses in mice following hepatocyte transplantation from CD47-competent or -deficient OVA-transgenic donors. Compared to sham-operated controls, intrasplenic transplantation of CD47-deficient OVA(+) hepatocytes significantly accelerated rejection of OVA(+) skin grafted 7 days after hepatocyte transplantation. In contrast, mice receiving CD47-competent OVA(+) hepatocytes showed prolonged and even indefinite survival of OVA(+) skin allografts. T cells from mice receiving CD47-deficient, but not CD47-competent, OVA(+) hepatocytes showed significantly enhanced responses to OVA(+) stimulators compared to sham-operated controls. In contrast to the production of tolerogenic cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) in the recipients of CD47-competent hepatocytes, mice receiving CD47-deficient hepatocytes showed elevated production of IFN-γ and IL-1α. Moreover, significant expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells was detected in the recipients of CD47-competent hepatocytes, which was required for tolerance induction in these mice. Thus, donor CD47 plays an important role in the control of T-cell alloresponses and tolerance induction following hepatocyte transplantation. Our data also suggest that intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation may provide a means to induce allograft tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD47 Antigen / genetics
  • CD47 Antigen / immunology*
  • Female
  • Graft Survival*
  • Hepatocytes / immunology*
  • Hepatocytes / transplantation*
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / immunology
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Survival Analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Transplantation Tolerance*

Substances

  • CD47 Antigen
  • Cd47 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators