title: Beneficial effect of an antibody against interleukin-2 receptor (daclizumab) in an experimental model of hepatocyte xenotransplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the use of Daclizumab (Dmab) as an immunosuppressive agent in an experimental model of hepatocyte xenotransplantation (XenoTx) in rats with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two white male New Zealand rabbits were used as donors and 68 Wistar rats as recipients. FHF was induced by intravenous application of dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA). The isolated hepatocytes of the rabbits were xenotransplanted into the spleen of the rats 24 h after FHF induction. Group A (n = 13): no treatment; Group B (n = 14): FHF and XenoTx; Group C (n = 14): FHF and XenoTx and cyclosporin (CsA); Group D (n = 14): FHF and XenoTx and Dmab; Group E (n = 13): FHF and XenoTx and CsA and Dmab. The rats were followed for 15 d.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed better survival among groups D (92.86%) and E (76.92%) compared to group A (all rats died after 72 h), group B (28.57%) or group C (71.43%), although the differences were not statistically significant. Biochemical evaluation of the liver enzymes and histology confirmed satisfactory function and engraftment, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experimental model has shown the safe, effective and beneficial use of Dmab in a xenotransplantation model of rabbit hepatocytes in rats.
authors: 2nd Department of Surgery, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Papagoras
authors: Apostolos
authors: A
authors: Papalois
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Tsaroucha
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Lytras
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Kyriazanos
authors: Nikoletta
authors: N
authors: Giannakou
authors: Prodromos
authors: P
authors: Laftsidis
authors: Constantine
authors: C
authors: Simopoulos
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D000077561:Daclizumab; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000077561:Daclizumab