Rejection of discordant neovascularized xenografts: is it similar to the response against metazoan parasites?
Allotransplantation is now widely successful but is increasingly limited by a shortage of human organ donors. Xenografts could solve this shortage but hyperacute rejection due to preformed antibodies that react with graft endothelial cells in primarily vascularized xenografts that cannot be controlled with current immunosuppressants causes graft loss and negates this approach. In the absence of hyperacute rejection, the host mounts a vigorous cellular response but its nature is poorly understood. In contrast, the cellular immune response against allografts is usually reversible with immunosuppression. The anti-xenograft response is similar to that generated against metazoan parasites but they often survive. Perhaps the host perceives a xenograft in a manner similar to the recognition of a parasite and reacts in a similar way but with parasites the response is often inadequate. Perhaps there are lessons to be learnt from parasitology that may be applicable to xenotransplantation.
Transplantation Unit, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia.
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Mandel
D000818:Animals; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008322:Mammals; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000276:immunology*; D010271:Parasites / Q000276:immunology*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*
D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents