title: Prolongation of murine vascularized heart allograft survival by recipient-specific anti-major histocompatibility complex class II antibody.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Renal Medicine, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, England.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Z K
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foulkes
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wraith
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II