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Prolonged local expression of anti‐CD4 antibody by adenovirally transduced allografts can promote long‐term graft survival
Author(s) -
Londrigan Sarah L.,
Sutherland Robyn M.,
Brady Jamie L.,
Zhan Yifan,
Li Ruili,
Estella Eugene,
Kay Thomas W. H.,
Lew Andrew M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the journal of gene medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.689
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1521-2254
pISSN - 1099-498X
DOI - 10.1002/jgm.818
Subject(s) - islet , antibody , transplantation , immunology , medicine , immunosuppression , diabetes mellitus , cancer research , endocrinology
Background Currently, successful transplantation of allografts requires the systemic use of immunosuppressive drugs. These can cause serious morbidity due to toxicity and increased susceptibility to cancer and infections. Local production of immunosuppressive molecules limited to the graft site would reduce the need for conventional, generalized immunosuppressive therapies and thus educe fewer side effects. This is particularly salient in a disease like type 1 diabetes, which is not immediately life‐threatening yet islet allografts can effect a cure. Methods We studied the efficacy of locally produced anti‐CD4 antibody, mediated by adenovirus (Adv‐anti‐CD4) transduction of islets, to enhance allograft survival. Adenovirus‐transduced islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule of diabetic recipients and graft rejection determined by monitoring blood glucose levels. Results Adv‐anti‐CD4 transduction of mouse islets afforded protection against allogeneic rejection after transplantation into fully mismatched recipients. In some recipients, the islet allograft survival was prolonged (persisting for at least 15 weeks), corresponding to the prolonged expression of the anti‐CD4 antibody. The effect was local, as absence of CD4+ T lymphocytes was observed primarily at the graft site. Conclusions Immunosuppressive effects can be restricted locally by our strategy. Local production of a single antibody against one subset of T lymphocytes can protect mouse islets from allograft rejection during transplantation to treat diabetes. Our findings foreshadow that this strategy may be even more effective when a combination of antibodies are used and that similar strategies may prevent xenograft rejection. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.