High-dose porcine hematopoietic cell transplantation combined with CD40 ligand blockade in baboons prevents an induced anti-pig humoral response

Transplantation. 2000 Jun 15;69(11):2296-304. doi: 10.1097/00007890-200006150-00013.

Abstract

Background: In pig-to-primate organ transplantation, hyperacute rejection can be prevented, but the organ is rejected within days by acute vascular rejection, in which induced high-affinity anti-Gal alpha1-3Gal (alphaGal) IgG and possibly antibodies directed against new porcine (non-alphaGal) antigenic determinants are considered to play a major role. We have explored the role of an anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody in modifying the humoral response to porcine hematopoietic cells in baboons pretreated with a nonmyeloablative regimen.

Methods: Porcine peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells obtained by leukapheresis from both major histocompatibility complex-inbred miniature swine (n=7) and human decay-accelerating factor pigs (n=3) were transplanted into baboons. Group 1 baboons (n=3) underwent whole body (300 cGy) and thymic (700 cGy) irradiation, T cell depletion with ATG, complement depletion with cobra venom factor, short courses of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, porcine hematopoietic growth factors, and anti-alphaGal antibody depletion by immunoadsorption before transplantation of high doses (2-4 x 10(10)/cells/kg) of peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells. In group 2 (n=5), cyclosporine was replaced by eight doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies over 14 days. The group 3 baboons (n=2) received the group 1 regimen plus 2 doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies (on days 0 and 2).

Results: In group 1, sensitization to alphaGal (with increases in IgM and IgG of 3- to 6-fold and 100-fold, respectively) and the development of antibodies to new non-alphaGal porcine antigens occurred within 20 days. In group 2, no sensitization to alphaGal or non-alphaGal determinants was seen, but alphaGal-reactive antibodies did return to their pre- peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells transplant levels. In group 3, attenuated sensitization to alphaGal antigens was seen after cessation of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil therapy at 30 days (IgM 4-fold, IgG 8-30-fold), but no antibodies developed against new porcine determinants. In no baboon did anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies prevent sensitization to its own murine antigens.

Conclusions: We believe these studies are the first to consistently demonstrate prevention of a secondary humoral response after cell or organ transplantation in a pig-to-primate model. The development of sensitization to the murine elements of the anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies suggests that nonresponsiveness to cell membrane-bound antigen (e.g., alphaGal) is a specific phenomenon and not a general manifestation of immunological unresponsiveness. T cell costimulatory blockade may facilitate induction of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and, consequently, of tolerance to pig organs and tissues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / blood
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Blood / immunology
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Morbidity
  • Mortality
  • Papio / immunology*
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature / immunology*
  • Transplantation Conditioning / methods
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / immunology*
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / mortality

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • CD40 Ligand