Open AccessContribution of B Cells and Antibody to Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy
Author(s) -
Alison J. Gareau,
Gregory M. Hirsch,
Tim D. G. Lee,
Björn Nashan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.45
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1534-6080
pISSN - 0041-1337
DOI - 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181b076cc
Subject(s) - neointima , medicine , myofibroblast , antibody , calcineurin , pathology , lesion , transplantation , hyperplasia , b cell , immunology , fibrosis , restenosis , stent
The aim of this study was to determine the role of alloantibody in the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (AV). AV is the main pathologic indicator of chronic cardiac graft rejection resulting in graft loss at 10 years posttransplant. In AV, a neointimal lesion forms resulting in luminal occlusion and damage to the transplanted organ. AV is T-cell mediated, but the role played by B cells and antibody in AV development has been controversial. No studies have been conducted in the presence of a clinically relevant immunosuppressant. In our study, we use cyclosporin A, a calcineurin inhibitor.