Weiyun Shi1, Min Chen, Lixin Xie. 1. State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Qingdao, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To investigate the therapeutic effect of CTLA4-FasL-B7 costimulatory pathway blockage-on graft survival in a murine model of corneal transplantation. METHODS: Orthotopic penetrating keratoplasty was performed on BALB/c mice. The mice were randomized into four groups: the isograft group, untreated allograft group, cyclosporine A drug delivery system (CsA DDS)-anterior chamber implanted group, and 10 microg/mL CTLA4-FasL-treated group. Allografts were from C57BL/6 mice. Survival time of corneal grafts was evaluated. Immunohistological method and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) were applied for the detection of CD4+ T cells and apoptotic cells in corneal transplants. To assess whether peripheral immune tolerance appeared after the treatment of CTLA4-FasL, CsA DDS-implanted- and CTLA4-FasL-treated BALB/c mice with clear grafts received skin allografts at 4 weeks after keratoplasty, and the status of corneal transplants were observed when skin grafts were rejected. RESULTS: Allografts in the CTLA4-FasL group (median survival time [MST] = 106 days, p = 0.0042) and the CsA DDS group (MST = 60 days, p = 0.0037) revealed extending survival time, compared with that in the untreated allograft group (MST = 14 days). There were significantly fewer CD4-positive T cells in both the isograft group and the CsA DDS group. In the untreated allograft group, the number of CD4+ T cells gradually increased from day 1 until the final day of observation (day 21). By contrast, it reached a peak on day 7 and then absolutely reduced in the CTLA4-FasL group. Many apoptotic cells were detected on day 7 in the CTLA4-FasL group, but very few were seen in the other groups. Within 30 days of skin-graft rejection, previously healthy and long-standing corneal grafts became rejected in the CsA DDS group but remained clear in the CTLA4-FasL group. CONCLUSIONS: CTLA4-FasL can prolong the survival time of corneal allografts in mice, exerting a negative regulation on T-cell activation simultaneously by blocking B7 costimulatory signals and inducing Fas-FasL apoptotic pathway. Due to the adjunctive role of FasL, it also appears to be a potential activity of tolerance induction through T-cell apoptotic pathways.
BACKGROUND: To investigate the therapeutic effect of CTLA4-FasL-B7 costimulatory pathway blockage-on graft survival in a murine model of corneal transplantation. METHODS: Orthotopic penetrating keratoplasty was performed on BALB/c mice. The mice were randomized into four groups: the isograft group, untreated allograft group, cyclosporine A drug delivery system (CsADDS)-anterior chamber implanted group, and 10 microg/mL CTLA4-FasL-treated group. Allografts were from C57BL/6 mice. Survival time of corneal grafts was evaluated. Immunohistological method and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) were applied for the detection of CD4+ T cells and apoptotic cells in corneal transplants. To assess whether peripheral immune tolerance appeared after the treatment of CTLA4-FasL, CsADDS-implanted- and CTLA4-FasL-treated BALB/c mice with clear grafts received skin allografts at 4 weeks after keratoplasty, and the status of corneal transplants were observed when skin grafts were rejected. RESULTS: Allografts in the CTLA4-FasL group (median survival time [MST] = 106 days, p = 0.0042) and the CsADDS group (MST = 60 days, p = 0.0037) revealed extending survival time, compared with that in the untreated allograft group (MST = 14 days). There were significantly fewer CD4-positive T cells in both the isograft group and the CsADDS group. In the untreated allograft group, the number of CD4+ T cells gradually increased from day 1 until the final day of observation (day 21). By contrast, it reached a peak on day 7 and then absolutely reduced in the CTLA4-FasL group. Many apoptotic cells were detected on day 7 in the CTLA4-FasL group, but very few were seen in the other groups. Within 30 days of skin-graft rejection, previously healthy and long-standing corneal grafts became rejected in the CsADDS group but remained clear in the CTLA4-FasL group. CONCLUSIONS:CTLA4-FasL can prolong the survival time of corneal allografts in mice, exerting a negative regulation on T-cell activation simultaneously by blocking B7 costimulatory signals and inducing Fas-FasL apoptotic pathway. Due to the adjunctive role of FasL, it also appears to be a potential activity of tolerance induction through T-cell apoptotic pathways.
Authors: A D Wells; X C Li; Y Li; M C Walsh; X X Zheng; Z Wu; G Nuñez; A Tang; M Sayegh; W W Hancock; T B Strom; L A Turka Journal: Nat Med Date: 1999-11 Impact factor: 53.440
Authors: S Yamagami; H Kawashima; T Tsuru; H Yamagami; N Kayagaki; H Yagita; K Okumura; D S Gregerson Journal: Transplantation Date: 1997-10-27 Impact factor: 4.939
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