Prolonged survival of islet allografts in mice treated with rosmarinic acid and anti-CD154 antibody

Exp Mol Med. 2008 Feb 29;40(1):1-10. doi: 10.3858/emm.2008.40.1.1.

Abstract

Pancreatic islet transplantation can correct the abnormal glucose metabolism of Type 1 diabetes. Although immunosuppressants greatly reduce the acute rejection rate in transplant patients, the long-term side effects can be debilitating. Therefore, researchers are seeking to develop new immunosuppressive regimens that induce maximal levels of immunosuppression with minor side effects. Rosmarinic acid (Ros A) is a secondary metabolite of certain herbs and has multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we have investigated whether treatment of mice with a combination of Ros A and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (MR1) improves islet allograft survival in a murine model. After transplantation, the mice were treated with either Ros A, MR1, or both (the "double" treatment). Allograft survival was prolonged in the double-treated animals compared to animals that received only Ros A or MR1. As is the case with the single-treated animals at 15 days after transplantation, the double-treated recipients did not display a significant decrease in the expression of cytokines or the population of activated T cells. Infiltrating CD3(+) T cells were reduced in the MR1- or double therapy relative to control or RosA group. However, at the same time point, double-treated graft showed fewer apoptotic cells and increased expression of insulin and glucagons, compared to the single-treatment groups. Furthermore, long-term (>150 days) allografts that were received with double therapy exhibited larger islet clusters and contained more insulin- and glucagon-positive cells, relative to the MR1-treated grafts. In conclusion, treatment with both Ros A and MR1 has a synergistic effect in murine islet allotransplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • CD40 Ligand / immunology*
  • Cinnamates / pharmacology*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Depsides / pharmacology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Graft Survival / drug effects*
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Islets of Langerhans / drug effects
  • Islets of Langerhans / pathology
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Rosmarinic Acid
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cinnamates
  • Cytokines
  • Depsides
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Glucose