title: Application of cyclophosphamide-induced tolerance in alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout mice presensitized with Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta-4-GlcNAc antigens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hyperacute rejection (HAR) mediated by the natural antibody (nAb) against Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta-4-GlcNAc (alpha Gal) is the major obstacle in xenogeneic organ transplantation. Previously, we reported the acceptance of donor heart grafts in anti-alpha Gal nAb-producing galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT KO) mice after cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced tolerance conditioning. In the present study, we applied our tolerance induction conditioning in presensitized recipient mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  GalT KO (alpha Gal(-/-), H-2(b/d)) recipient mice were presensitized with alpha Gal(+) rabbit red blood cells (RRBCs). Presensitized or nonsensitized recipient mice were treated with CP-induced tolerance conditioning, consisting of AKR (alpha Gal(+/+), H-2(k)) spleen cells (SC), CP, busulfan (BU), and AKR bone marrow cells (BMC). We assessed the survival of donor hearts and skin grafts and analyzed the production of anti-alpha Gal Abs by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Donor mixed chimerism was achieved in the presensitized GalT KO mice treated with CP-induced tolerance conditioning. In parallel with the disappearance of anti-alpha Gal Abs, permanent acceptance of donor heart grafts and skin grafts was observed in presensitized and GalT KO mice treated with CP-induced tolerance conditioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both B-cell and T-cell tolerance was achieved in the presence of a higher titer of anti-alpha Gal Abs after treatment with CP-induced tolerance conditioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onzuka
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okano
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tominaga