6-Methylprednisolone does not impair anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) immunosuppressive activity in non-human primates.
BACKGROUND
Induction treatments with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) in solid organ transplantation may enhance the efficacy of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. Since ATG can trigger Fas (CD95) mediated T cell apoptosis, a process antagonized in vitro by corticosteroids, an important issue is whether corticosteroids could interfere with T cell depleting and immunosuppressive activities of ATG.


METHODS
MHC mismatched skin allografts were performed on cynomolgus and rhesus monkeys treated with ATG (20 mg/kg) associated or not with 6-methylprednisolone (10 mg/kg).


RESULTS
There was no difference between the two immunosuppressive regimens as regards the intensity and duration of peripheral T lymphocyte depletion and the appearance of anti-ATG antibodies. Skin graft survival was increased in monkeys treated with 6-methylprednisolone as compared with ATG alone.


CONCLUSIONS
In vivo, corticosteroids do not interfere with ATG ability to induce massive T cell depletion and to delay skin allograft rejection in non-human primates.
Prévill
X
X
INSERM U503, Lyon, France. preville@cervi-lyon.inserm.fr
Sick
E
E
Beauchard
S
S
Ossevoort
M
M
Tiollier
J
J
Revillard
J P
JP
Jonker
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D023341:Chills / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003085:Colic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007518:Isoantibodies; D019014:fas Receptor; D008775:Methylprednisolone