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Liao T, Shi X, Han F, Wang Y, Zeng W, Liu R, Yan Z, Xia R, Huang Z, Xu J, Miao Y. Blockade of BLyS inhibits B-cell responses and antibody production for the prevention of chronic transplant rejection. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:652-662. [PMID: 38070662 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic rejection, closely related to the activation of B cells and donor-specific antibody (DSA) production, has unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is a major regulatory factor that controls the activation and differentiation of B cells. However, it remains unclear whether BLyS blockade can regulate B and plasma cells in the transplantation setting and affect chronic rejection. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the BLyS inhibitors belimumab and telitacicept in controlling B-cell response and preventing chronic rejection. METHODS The effects of belimumab and telitacicept on B-cell activation, differentiation, and antibody production in vitro were determined. A chronic rejection model in mouse was established by allogeneic cardiac transplantation with CTLA4-Ig treatment. Allograft survival, histology, DSA levels, and B-cell responses were analyzed to evaluate the chronic rejection-preventive effects of belimumab and telitacicept. RESULTS In vitro experiments confirmed that belimumab and telitacicept inhibited B-cell activation and differentiation and reduced antibody production. In vivo experiments indicated that they significantly prolonged allograft survival, attenuated chronic rejection through significant suppression of myocardial ischemic necrosis and interstitial fibrosis, and reduced DSA-IgG levels, C4d deposition, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, the frequencies of B cells, plasma cells, and IgG-producing cells in the recipients' spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and blood were decreased after BLyS inhibitors treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that belimumab and telitacicept inhibit B-cell responses and antibody production and alleviate chronic transplant rejection. Therefore, BLyS inhibitors are expected to be used for the prevention of chronic rejection in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liao
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyi Shi
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Han
- Research Institute of Organ Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenli Zeng
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rumin Liu
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziyan Yan
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Renfei Xia
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengyu Huang
- Research Institute of Organ Transplantation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun Miao
- Department of Transplantation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Abstract
Access to kidney transplantation is limited by HLA-specific sensitization. Desensitization strategies enable crossmatch-positive kidney transplantation. In this review, we describe clinical experience gained over the last 20 y using desensitization strategies before kidney transplantation and describe the different tools used (both drugs and apheresis options), including IVIg, rituximab, apheresis techniques, interleukin-6 interference, proteasome inhibition, enzymatic degradation of HLA antibodies, complement inhibition, and B cytokine interference. Although access to transplantation for highly sensitized kidney transplantation candidates has been vastly improved by desensitization strategies, it remains, however, limited by the recurrence of HLA antibodies after transplantation and the occurrence of antibody-mediated rejection.
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Xie HC, Wang ZG, Feng YH, Wang JX, Liu L, Yang XL, Li JF, Feng GW. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repress renal transplant immune rejection by facilitating the APRIL phosphorylation to induce regulation B cell production. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:90-100. [PMID: 36645668 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00103.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) exert pivotal roles in suppressing immune rejection in organ transplantation. However, the function of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanism of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation. Following the establishment of the renal allograft mouse model, the isolated primary BMSCs were injected intravenously into the recipient mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Western blot assays were conducted to investigate BMSCs' function in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, the underlying mechanism of BMSCs on immune rejection in renal transplantation was investigated in in vivo and in vitro models. Functionally, BMSCs alleviated the immune rejection in renal transplantation mice and facilitated B cell activation and the production of IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Bregs). Furthermore, the results of mechanism studies revealed that BMSCs induced the production of IL-10+ Bregs by facilitating a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) phosphorylation to enhance immunosuppression and repressed renal transplant rejection by promoting APRIL phosphorylation to induce IL-10+ Bregs. BMSCs prevent renal transplant rejection by facilitating APRIL phosphorylation to induce IL-10+ Bregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Chang Xie
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yong-Hua Feng
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jun-Xiang Wang
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xian-Lei Yang
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin-Feng Li
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gui-Wen Feng
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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van Vugt LK, Schagen MR, de Weerd A, Reinders ME, de Winter BC, Hesselink DA. Investigational drugs for the treatment of kidney transplant rejection. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2022; 31:1087-1100. [PMID: 36175360 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2130751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kidney transplant rejection remains an important clinical problem despite the development of effective immunosuppressive drug combination therapy. Two major types of rejection are recognized, namely T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), which have a different pathophysiology and are treated differently. Unfortunately, long-term outcomes of both TCMR and ABMR remain unsatisfactory despite current therapy. Hence, alternative therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. AREAS COVERED This review covers novel and investigational drugs for the pharmacological treatment of kidney transplant rejection. Potential therapeutic strategies and future directions are discussed. EXPERT OPINION The development of alternative pharmacologic treatment of rejection has focused mostly on ABMR, since this is the leading cause of kidney allograft loss and currently lacks an effective, evidence-based therapy. At present, there is insufficient high-quality evidence for any of the covered investigational drugs to support their use in ABMR. However, with the emergence of targeted therapies, this potential arises for individualized treatment strategies. In order to generate more high-quality evidence for such strategies and overcome the obstacles of classic, randomized, controlled trials, we advocate the implementation of adaptive trial designs and surrogate clinical endpoints. We believe such adaptive trial designs could help to understand the risks and benefits of promising drugs such as tocilizumab, clazakizumab, belimumab, and imlifidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas K van Vugt
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike R Schagen
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Weerd
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marlies Ej Reinders
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda Cm de Winter
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dennis A Hesselink
- Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Ohm B, Jungraithmayr W. B Cell Immunity in Lung Transplant Rejection - Effector Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications. Front Immunol 2022; 13:845867. [PMID: 35320934 PMCID: PMC8934882 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.845867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Allograft rejection remains the major hurdle in lung transplantation despite modern immunosuppressive treatment. As part of the alloreactive process, B cells are increasingly recognized as modulators of alloimmunity and initiators of a donor-specific humoral response. In chronically rejected lung allografts, B cells contribute to the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and promote local alloimmune responses. However, B cells are functionally heterogeneous and some B cell subsets may promote alloimmune tolerance. In this review, we describe the current understanding of B-cell-dependent mechanisms in pulmonary allograft rejection and highlight promising future strategies that employ B cell-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Ohm
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Jungraithmayr
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Agarwal D, Luning Prak ET, Bharani T, Everly M, Migone TS, Cancro M, Allman D, Choe I, Kearns JD, Trofe-Clark J, Naji A, Kamoun M. BLyS neutralization results in selective anti-HLA alloantibody depletion without successful desensitization. Transpl Immunol 2021; 69:101465. [PMID: 34506905 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pre-existing anti-HLA allo-antibodies (allo-Abs) are a major barrier to successful kidney transplantation, resulting in an elevated risk for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and eventual graft loss. The cytokine B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) promotes B cell maturation and plasma cell survival; consequently, anti-BLyS therapy represents a potential therapeutic opportunity in diminishing pre-existing allo-Abs. Here we report that in our 1-year pilot trial, BLyS neutralization failed to reduce total anti-HLA allo-Ab levels in highly sensitized candidates awaiting kidney transplant in a clinically meaningful way. Additionally, we performed a post hoc analysis using sera from trial candidates which revealed selective depletion of anti-HLA class I and class II Abs in response to belimumab treatment, restricted to certain allele specificities and IgG subclasses. Altogether, we observed that BLyS blockade only results in selective depletion of anti-HLA Abs recognizing a few discrete HLA allele specificities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyansh Agarwal
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eline T Luning Prak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tina Bharani
- Department of General Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | | | - Thi-Sau Migone
- Iconic Therapeutics, Shoreline Court, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Michael Cancro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David Allman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Insuk Choe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jane D Kearns
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Trofe-Clark
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.; Department of Medicine, Division of Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ali Naji
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Malek Kamoun
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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7
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Reese SR, Wilson NA, Huang Y, Ptak L, Degner KR, Xiang D, Redfield RR, Zhong W, Panzer SE. B-cell Deficiency Attenuates Transplant Glomerulopathy in a Rat Model of Chronic Active Antibody-mediated Rejection. Transplantation 2021; 105:1516-1529. [PMID: 33273321 PMCID: PMC8106694 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is a pathological feature of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (cAMR) and is associated with renal allograft failure. The specific role of B cells in the pathogenesis of TG is unclear. METHODS We used a minor mismatched rat kidney transplant model with B cell-deficient recipients, generated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 technology, to investigate the impact of B-cell depletion on the pathogenesis of TG. We hypothesized that B-cell deficiency would prevent TG in the rat kidney transplant model of cAMR. Treatment groups included syngeneic, allogeneic, sensitized allogeneic, and B cell-deficient allogeneic transplant recipients. RESULTS B cell-deficient recipients demonstrated reduced TG lesions, decreased microvascular inflammation, reduced allograft infiltrating macrophages, and reduced interferon gamma transcripts within the allograft. Allograft transcript levels of interferon gamma, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukin-1β correlated with numbers of intragraft macrophages. B cell-deficient recipients lacked circulating donor-specific antibodies and had an increased splenic regulatory T-cell population. CONCLUSIONS In this model of cAMR, B-cell depletion attenuated the development of TG with effects on T cell and innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R. Reese
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nancy A. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Yabing Huang
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China
| | - Lucille Ptak
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kenna R. Degner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ding Xiang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China
| | - Robert R. Redfield
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Weixiong Zhong
- Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sarah E. Panzer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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8
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Agarwal D, Allman D, Naji A. Novel therapeutic opportunities afforded by plasma cell biology in transplantation. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:1984-1991. [PMID: 32034987 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite new immunotherapies aimed at B and T cells, plasma cells and their lifelong antibody secretion constitute a major immune barrier to long-term graft survival. In this mini-review, we survey the recent advances that have been made in the biology and immunometabolism of long-lived plasma cells, and outline aspects of plasma cell function that can be exploited for clinical benefit in recipients of solid organ transplants. A handful of ongoing studies are already targeting plasma cells to achieve desensitization and reduce the alloantibody burden in individuals posttransplant. In reviewing the recent strides made in our understanding of the molecular basis of plasma cell survival, we will place our discussions in the context of existing preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyansh Agarwal
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David Allman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ali Naji
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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9
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Wilson NA, Dylewski J, Degner KR, O'Neill MA, Reese SR, Hidalgo LG, Blaine J, Panzer SE. An in vitro model of antibody-mediated injury to glomerular endothelial cells: Upregulation of MHC class II and adhesion molecules. Transpl Immunol 2019; 58:101261. [PMID: 31887408 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2019.101261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection is a major cause of allograft failure in kidney transplantation. Microvascular inflammation and transplant glomerulopathy are defining pathologic features of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection and are associated with allograft failure. However, the mechanisms of leukocyte infiltration and glomerular endothelial cell injury remain unclear. We hypothesized MHC class II ligation on glomerular endothelial cells (GEnC) would result in upregulation of adhesion molecules and production of chemoattractants. A model of endothelial cell activation in the presence of antibodies to MHC classes I and II was used to determine the expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines. Murine GEnC were activated with IFNγ, which upregulated gene expression of β2-microglobulin (MHC class I), ICAM1, VCAM1, CCL2, CCL5, and IL-6. IFNγ stimulation of GEnC increased surface expression of MHC class I, MHC class II, ICAM1, and VCAM1. Incubation with antibodies directed at MHC class I or class II did not further enhance adhesion molecule expression. Multispectral imaging flow cytometry and confocal microscopy demonstrated MHC molecules co-localized with the adhesion molecules ICAM1 and VCAM1 on the GEnC surface. GEnC secretion of chemoattractants, CCL2 and CCL5, was increased by IFNγ stimulation. CCL2 production was further enhanced by incubation with sensitized plasma. Endothelial activation induces de novo expression of MHC class II molecules and increases surface expression of MHC class I, ICAM1 and VCAM1, which are all co-localized together. Maintaining the integrity and functionality of the glomerular endothelium is necessary to ensure survival of the allograft. IFNγ stimulation of GEnC propagates an inflammatory response with production of chemokines and co-localization of MHC and adhesion molecules on the GEnC surface, contributing to endothelial cell function as antigen presenting cells and an active player in allograft injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy A Wilson
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - James Dylewski
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kenna R Degner
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Megan A O'Neill
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Shannon R Reese
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Luis G Hidalgo
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Judith Blaine
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sarah E Panzer
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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10
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Bath NM, Ding X, Verhoven BM, Wilson NA, Coons L, Sukhwal A, Zhong W, Redfield III RR. Autoantibody production significantly decreased with APRIL/BLyS blockade in murine chronic rejection kidney transplant model. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223889. [PMID: 31647850 PMCID: PMC6812745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic antibody mediated rejection (cAMR) remains a significant barrier to achieving long-term graft survival in kidney transplantation, which results from alloantibody production from B lymphocytes and plasma cells. APRIL (A proliferation-inducing ligand) and BLyS (B lymphocyte stimulator) are critical survival factors for B lymphocytes and plasma cells. Here we describe the results of APRIL/BLyS blockade in a murine cAMR kidney transplant model. c57/B6 mice underwent kidney transplantation with Bm12 kidneys (minor MHC mismatch), a well-described model for chronic rejection where animals cannot make donor specific antibody but rather make antinuclear antibody (ANA). Following transplantation, animals received TACI-Ig (to block APRIL and BLyS) or no treatment. Animals were continued on treatment until harvest 4 weeks following transplant. Serum was analyzed for circulating anti-nuclear autoantibodies using HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence. Spleen and transplanted kidneys were analyzed via H&E. ANA production was significantly decreased in APRIL/BLyS blockade treated animals (p<0.0001). No significant difference in autoantibody production was found between syngeneic transplant control (B6 to B6) and APRIL/BLyS blockade treated animals (p = 0.90). Additionally, disruption of splenic germinal center architecture was noted in the APRIL/BLyS blockade treated animals. Despite the significant decrease in autoantibody production and germinal center disruption, no significant difference in lymphocyte infiltration was noted in the transplanted kidney. APRIL/BLyS blockade resulted in a significant decrease of autoantibody production and disrupted splenic germinal center formation in a chronic kidney transplant model, however in this model no difference in kidney transplant pathology was seen, which may have to do with the absence of any T cell centric immunosuppression. Regardless, these findings suggest that APRIL/BLyS blockade may play a role in decreasing antibody formation long-term in kidney transplantation. Future investigations will use APRIL/BLyS blockade in conjunction with T lymphocyte depleting agents to determine its efficacy in chronic rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M. Bath
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Xiang Ding
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Bret M. Verhoven
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nancy A. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, Unites States of America
| | - Lauren Coons
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Adarsh Sukhwal
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Weixiong Zhong
- Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Robert R. Redfield III
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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