Immunosuppressant combinations in primate cardiac xenografts. A review.
ABO matched cynomolgus monkey to baboon heterotopic xenografts were performed using three different immunosuppressant regimens. Group 1 (n = 4) baboons, which did not receive immunosuppression, had a mean graft survival of 9 days. Group 2 (n = 6) received cyclosporine (CsA) and methylprednisolone acetate which prolonged graft survival to an average of 78 days. Group 3 (n = 5) received CsA, Pred, and azathioprine (Aza) as well as steroid pulses and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) for rejection episodes. Survival in this group averaged 94 days. In Group 4 (n = 3), the same regimen as group 3 was used; however, Mycophenolate Mofetil was substituted for Aza. This resulted in a mean survival of 296 days. Histologic examination of the coronary vasculature in baboons treated with Mofetil showed a reduction in vascular pathologic changes when compared to those treated with Aza. Long-term cardiac xenograft survival is possible using currently available immunosuppressive agents.
McManus
R P
RP
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
O'Hair
D P
DP
Komorowski
R
R
Scott
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D010215:Papio; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents