Prolongation of murine vascularized heart allograft survival by recipient-specific anti-major histocompatibility complex class II antibody.
BACKGROUND
Antibodies targeting recipient major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules have been demonstrated to be effective at prolonging allograft survival. However, antigen-presenting cell depletion would explain this effect and has not been definitively excluded as the mechanism of action of such antibodies. We have studied an anti-MHC class II antibody (OX6) proven to be noncytotoxic in the recipient strain used.


METHODS
Antibody was administered the day before, 2 hr before, and the day after grafting.


RESULTS
Antibody administration on the day before, 2 hr before, and the day after grafting significantly prolonged vascularized cardiac allograft survival. Importantly, treatment recognizing recipient MHC was effective, whereas a similar regimen recognizing donor MHC was not.


CONCLUSIONS
Noncytotoxic recipient MHC class II-specific antibodies modify allograft rejection. Possible mechanisms for this therapeutic effect are discussed.
Smith
R M
RM
Department of Academic Renal Medicine, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, England.
Chen
Z K
ZK
Foulkes
R
R
Metcalfe
S M
SM
Wraith
D C
DC
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000637:transplantation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II