In vitro influence of polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulins on leukocyte expression of adhesion molecules.
OBJECTIVE
Polyclonal anti-thymocyte globulins (ATGs) are drugs used in the induction of immunosuppression, in the treatment of acute rejection, and in the therapy of hematologic disorders. Treatment with ATGs can produce adverse effects due to cross-reacting antibodies directed against nonmyeloid cells. This study sought to evaluate the interaction of ATGs and some adhesion molecules expressed on the surface of neutrophils and lymphocytes.


METHODS
We determined the effects of different doses of 3 polyclonal ATGs on the activation and expression of lymphocyte and neutrophil adhesion molecules in whole blood by means of flow cytometry.


RESULTS
ATG treatment reduced the percentage of lymphocytes gated for CD18 and CD62L, as well as the expression of CD11b, CD18, and CD62L in a dose-dependent manner. ATGs modulated the percentage of gated neutrophils for CD18. Although ATG treatment did not affect CD11b or CD62L gating in neutrophils, it did regulate expression of these adhesion markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that ATGs can modify the expression levels of some of the main leukocyte adhesion molecules that are responsible for the characteristic cellular adhesion after ischemia/ reperfusion. These properties of ATGs may contribute to reduced leukocyte infiltration after solid-organ transplantation.
Beiras-Fernandez
Andres
A
Institute for Surgical Research, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Marchioninistrasse 27, 81377 Munich, Germany. Andres.Beiras@med.uni-muenchen.de
Walther
Sebastian
S
Kaczmarek
Ingo
I
Ngo
Truc
T
Muenzinge
Silvia
S
Hammer
Claus
C
Thein
Eckart
E
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents