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Induction of specific transplantation tolerance across xenogeneic barriers in the T-independent immune compartment

Nature Medicine volume 4, pages 173–180 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

After transplantation of primarily vascularized xenografts (Xgs), T-independent mechanisms may lead to Xg rejection before T-cell activation even takes place. The possibility of achieving T-independent xenotolerance was evaluated in nude rats that normally reject hamster cardiac Xgs within 4 days by non-T cell-mediated mechanisms. After donor antigen infusion, temporary NK-cell depletion and a 4-week administration of Leflunomide, hamster heart grafts survived even after withdrawal of immunosuppression. Tolerant rats accepted second hamster hearts, but promptly rejected mouse heart Xgs. In vivo immunization and in vitro cy-totoxicity assays indicated that this species-specific tolerance was based on B-lymphocyte and NK-cell tolerance respectively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Experimental Transplantation, Campus Gasthuisberg, University of Leuven, O/N, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Yuan Lin, Jozef Goebels, Guliang Xia, Ping Ji & Mark Waer

  2. Rega Institute, University of Leuven, Minderbroederstraat 10, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Michel Vandeputte

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Lin, Y., Goebels, J., Xia, G. et al. Induction of specific transplantation tolerance across xenogeneic barriers in the T-independent immune compartment . Nat Med 4, 173–180 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0298-173

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