Cytokine production during the inhibition of acute vascular rejection in a concordant hamster-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation model.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 in a concordant hamster-to-rat cardiac xenotransplantation model.


METHODS
A hamster-to-rat cardiac transplantation was performed using SD rats as recipients of Golden Syrian hamster hearts. A total of 60 SD rats were divided into four groups and treated as follows: control group (n = 15); splenectomy group (n = 15); CsA group (n = 15); CsA + splenectomy group (n = 15). Levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera were harvested at different time points in each group: day 1, and 3 as well as the day the xenograft stopped beating in the control group and CsA group; day 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 in the splenectomy group and CsA + splenectomy group. The expression of P-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was examined by immunohistochemical analysis of the xenograft after cardiac xenotransplantation.


RESULTS
Serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were upregulated in untreated (day 3) and splenectomy-treated animals (day 7) compared to CsA + splenectomy treated animals (day 7). IL-10 was upregulated in long-term survival recipients following splenectomy + CsA. Neither P-selectin nor ICAM-1 expression was detected in long-term survival xenografts.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum IL-2 and IFN-gamma were elevated following acute vascular rejection. Serum IL-10 was correlated to immunosuppression and protective effects in long-term survival rats following concordant cardiac xenotransplantation.
Zhang
Xiao-gang
XG
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an 710061, China.
Lü
Yi
Y
Wang
Bo
B
Li
Hui
H
Yu
Liang
L
Liu
Chang
C
Wu
Zheng
Z
Liu
Xue-min
XM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006085:Graft Survival; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051381:Rats; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines