OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of combined heart-thymus transplantation for heart allograft in rats. METHODS: Vascularized heart-thymus combined transplantation was performed with microsurgical technique. Graft survival, histopathology, infiltration of CD4+, CD8+ T cells, level and mRNA expressions of IL-2 and IL-4 in the serum and cardiac grafts were investigated. RESULTS: Heart allograft in the controls had a survival time of (6.0+/-0.76) d. heart-thymus combined transplantation in non-thymectomized rats had a survival time of (6.88+/-0.64)d (P<0.05). Heart-thymus combined transplantation in thymectomized rats led to an evident survival time of (14.13+/-5.82)d (P<0.01) for cardiac graft, which further obtained long term survival after short course of treatment with cyclosporine. Pathologic lesion and infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in cardiac grafts showed mitigated in the long term survival group. IL-2 level in the serum and cardiac grafts maintained low level in the long term survival group, whereas IL-4 maintained high level. CONCLUSION Whether thymectomized or not in recipient rats, heart-thymus combined transplantation has a positive effect to protect cardiac graft. Furthermore, in thymectomized rats heart-thymus combined transplantation may lead to evident survival prolongation of the heart grafts, which induces immune tolerance in short course of treatment with cyclosporine.
Animals ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; immunology ; Heart Transplantation ; Immune Tolerance ; drug effects ; immunology ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; genetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Gland ; transplantation ; Time Factors ; Transplantation Immunology ; immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous

Blockade of signal 1 or 2 for T-cell activation by the use of anti-CD45RB and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) (two-signal blockade) has been proven effective in preventing or delaying graft rejection. However, the mechanisms of its immunomodulatory effects are clearly unknown and the present studies were performed to determine how the two-signal blockade modulate allogeneic immune responses, especially T-cell mediated cellular immunity, in a murine skin allograft model. We now report on the profound inhibition of alloreactive T cells by two-signal blockade via CD4-dependent mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice of BALB/c skin allograft were treated with anti-CD45RB, anti-CD154, CTLA4-Ig, or their combinations. For depletion of CD4 or CD8 T cells, the recipients received CD4-depleting or CD8-depleting mAb. We confirmed that survival of skin allograft was markedly prolongated in the two-signal blockade-treated group. In depletion study, anti-CD45RB, anti-CD154 and CD4-depleting mAb-treated group showed acute rejection of skin allograft in contrast to CD8-depleting group treated with the two-signal blockade. In the group treated with the two-signal blockade, the proportions of CD4+CD45RB(low)and CD8+CTLA-4 regulatory T cells were increased while effector CD8+ T cells, including IFN-gamma-secreting and CD8+CD62L(low)T cells, were decreased when compared with non-treated group. In contrast, the CD4-depleted group treated with the two-signal blockade resulted in recovery from immunoregulatory effects of two-signal blockade. In addition, results of IL-4 and IL-10 production were also showed CD4-dependence. Therefore, the two-signal blockade is accompanied by CD4-dependent mechanisms in allogeneic skin transplantation.
Transplantation, Homologous ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology/immunology ; Skin Transplantation/*immunology ; Signal Transduction/drug effects/immunology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Male ; Lymphocyte Depletion ; Lymphocyte Activation/immunology ; Interleukin-4/biosynthesis ; Interleukin-10/biosynthesis ; Graft Rejection/*immunology/prevention & control ; Flow Cytometry ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology/immunology/metabolism ; CD40 Ligand/*immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology/immunology/metabolism ; Antigens, CD45/*immunology ; Antigens, CD4/*immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Antibodies, Blocking/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Animals

BACKGROUNDLymphocyte subsets play important roles in rejection in liver transplant recipients, and the effect of splenic function on these roles remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility to adjust immunosuppressive agents based on splenic function status through detecting the lymphocyte subsets in liver transplantBeijing recipients.

METHODSThe lymphocyte subsets of 49 liver transplant recipients were assessed in the 309th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army between June 2014 and August 2015. The patients were divided into splenectomy group (n = 9), normal splenic function group (n = 24), and hypersplenism group (n = 16). The percentages and counts of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, natural killer (NK) cell, B-cell, regulatory B-cell (Breg), and regulatory T-cell (Treg) were detected by flow cytometer. In addition, the immunosuppressive agents, histories of rejection and infection, and postoperative time of the patients were compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of clinical characteristics among the three groups. The percentage of CD19+CD24+CD38+ Breg was significantly higher in hypersplenism group than normal splenic function group and splenectomy group (3.29 ± 0.97% vs. 2.12 ± 1.08% and 1.90 ± 0.99%, P = 0.001). The same result was found in CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg percentage (0.97 ± 0.39% vs. 0.54 ± 0.31% and 0.56 ± 0.28%, P = 0.001). The counts of CD8+ T-cell, CD4+ T-cell, and NK cell were significantly lower in hypersplenism group than normal splenic function group (254.25 ± 149.08 vs. 476.96 ± 225.52, P= 0.002; 301.69 ± 154.39 vs. 532.50 ± 194.42, P= 0.000; and 88.56 ± 63.15 vs. 188.33 ± 134.51, P = 0.048). Moreover, the counts of CD4+ T-cell and NK cell were significantly lower in hypersplenism group than splenectomy group (301.69 ± 154.39 vs. 491.89 ± 132.31, P= 0.033; and 88.56 ± 63.15 vs. 226.00 ± 168.85, P = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONSplenic function status might affect the immunity of liver transplant recipients, that should be considered when we make immunosuppressive protocols.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersplenism ; immunology ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Killer Cells, Natural ; drug effects ; immunology ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Spleen ; drug effects ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of dehydroepaimdrosterone (DHEA) on the growth of transplanted Morris hepatomas (7288CTC) in vivo in rats.

METHODS21 Buffalo rats were randomly devided into 4 groups, including one blank control group (n = 5), one group for tumor-bearing control (n = 6), and 2 experimental groups with DHEA (n = 6) or DHEA-s (n = 4). DHEA or DHEA-s was fed to the rats for 4 weeks immediately after Morris hepatomas (7288CTC) was implanted in both flanks. Phenotypes of the spleen lymphocytes were examined by flow cytometry, Akt and PTEN expression in tumor cells was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSTumor weights of DHEA treated group were less than those of the control (P less than 0.05), the inhibitory rate was 43%. The results of Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that in DHEA tumor group,the expression of phosphorilated Akt protein was decreased, the expression of PTEN was enhanced, the percentage of CD3 positive cells and the ratio of CD4/CD8 were increased (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDHEA can inhibit tumor growth, possibly via the inhibition of the Akt signaling pathway as well as modulating the immune function.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; pharmacology ; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred BUF ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

To investigate the changes of donor's peripheral blood immunocytes after mobilization with medium-dose recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), the amounts of immunocytes in peripheral blood cells and the immunocyte components of donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) in 12 healthy donors were detected by flow cytometry before and after mobilization with rhG-CSF 10 microg/(kg.day). The results showed that the median amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes before mobilization was 6.25 (4.7-7.8) x 10(9)/L, for lymphocytes it was 2.07 (1.63-3.10) x 10(9)/L, and for monocytes it was 0.163 (0.078-0.414) x 10(9)/L. In the fifth day after mobilization, the median amounts of peripheral blood leukocytes was 37.47 (24-72.57) x 10(9)/L, and for lymphocytes it was 3.22 (1.46-5.31) x 10(9)/L, and for monocytes, it was 1.2 (0.706-3.627) x 10(9)/L. The average amount of leukocytes after mobilization was 6.26 +/- 2.14 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.01), and the median amounts of lymphocytes after mobilization was 1.45 +/- 0.76 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.05), and the amount of monocytes after mobilization was 7.48 +/- 4.41 multiple of that before mobilization (P < 0.01). The median percentage of CD3(+) T lymphocytes before mobilization was 46.96% [(32.36-57.45)%], but 40.94% [(25.31-48.9)%] after mobilization. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) before mobilization was 1.27 +/- 0.46, while 1.36 +/- 0.51 after mobilization. The median percentage of CD4(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes was 0.41% [(0.16-1.51)%], and 0.49% [(0.09-2.0)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD16(+)CD56(+) NK cells was 13.98% [(4.08-25.08)%] versus 16.65% [(12.06-33.05)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD3(+)CD16(+)CD56(+) NK-T cells was 2.75% [(0.37-6.38)%], but 3.13% [(0.46-5.95)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD20(+) B cells was 9.28% [(5.97-16.33)%], while 9.94% [(7.36-20.41)%] after mobilization. The median percentage of CD14(+) monocytes was 12.48% [(3.54-19.35)%] versus 29.52% [(16.51-36.76)%] after mobilization. The percentage of CD3(+) T lymphocytes, CD4(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes, NK cells, NK-T cells and B lymphocytes in PBMNC did not change markedly before and after mobilization with middle-dose rhG-CSF. The ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) did not change significantly (P > 0.10). The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes in PBMNC after mobilization increased up to 2.87 +/- 1.51 higher than that before mobilization (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the changes of the CD14(+) monocytes after mobilization with rhG-CSF may be involved in graft rejection and graft versus host disease after allo-PBSCT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD20 ; analysis ; Blood Donors ; CD3 Complex ; analysis ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; CD56 Antigen ; analysis ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; methods ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Receptors, IgG ; analysis ; Recombinant Proteins

GITR (glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor) is a recently identified member of the TNF receptor superfamily. The receptor is preferentially expressed on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and GITR signals break the suppressive activity of the subset. In this study, we wanted to reveal the in vivo function of GITR in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a lupus-like autoimmune disease. A single injection of anti-GITR monoclonal antibody (DTA-1) was effective in blocking the progression of cGVHD in the parent-into-F1 model. Treatment of DTA-1 significantly decreased levels of IgG1 anti-DNA autoantibody, inhibited glomerulonephritis, and increased survival. The DTA-1-mediated inhibition of autoantibody production correlated with deletion of B cells and could occur independently of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Our results indicate that anti-GITR monoclonal antibody may be used as a potential immunotherapeutic agent for preventing cGVHD.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects/immunology/transplantation ; Comparative Study ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glucocorticoids/*pharmacology ; Graft vs Host Disease/*prevention & control ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/*immunology ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Transplantation, Homologous