IL-6 Receptor Blockade but Not IL-2 Treatment Contributes to Long Term NHP Cardiac Allograft Survival in Transient Mixed Chimeras

Long term tolerance of cardiac allografts has been achieved in non-human primates (NHPs) using a mixed chimerism protocol and by co-transplanting a kidney from the same heart and bone marrow donor. In stark contrast, heart alone recipients rejected in 150-180 days. T cell subset analyses showed a greater expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) in heart/kidney recipients compared to heart alone controls. To achieve tolerance of isolated heart allografts, we added IL-2 and/or anti-IL6R therapy to enhance host Treg activity.

Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - March 31, 2020 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: K. Ahrens, J. O, W. Sommer, J. Morrissette, D. Becerra, P. Patel, T. Costa, I.M. Hanekamp, G. Benichou, J.C. Madsen Tags: (152) Source Type: research