An easy and reproducible model of kidney transplantation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney transplantation in rats is an important research model. Various methods have been reported, but there is no "standard operation." We investigated a 1-stage versus a 2-stage native nephrectomy and the type of ureteral anastomosis seeking to establish a standard, reproducible and successful method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used PVG (RT1c-RT1Ac: B/Dc) male rats, weighing approximately 200 to 250 g, that underwent transplantation after right recipient nephrectomy. Left recipient nephrectomy was performed either 10 days later or simultaneously. The ureteric anastomosis was fashioned 2 ways: using a ureteral stent or by bladder insertion. RESULTS: Urinary complications (obstruction or reflux) were observed in 77.8% when a ureteral stent was used for the ureteric anastomosis versus 28.6% when using the bladder insertion technique (P = .0211). Transplanted rats with nephrectomy of both native kidneys at the time of grafting showed a perioperative mortality of 70%, whereas those hosts with a 2-stage nephrectomy displayed a mortality rate of 22% (P = .0025). CONCLUSIONS: The bladder insertion technique reduced the incidence of urological complications in rats. In addition, unilateral native nephrectomy at the time of operation with delayed contralateral nephrectomy was better tolerated than simultaneous bilateral nephrectomy. These 2 surgical variants allowed us to perform kidney transplantation with a high degree of success.

CTLA-4 blockade in murine bone marrow chimeras induces a host-derived antileukemic effect without graft-versus-host disease.

We studied the effect of CTLA-4 blockade on graft-versus-leukemia and graft-versus-host responses in a mouse model of minor histocompatibility-mismatched bone marrow transplantation. Early CTLA-4 blockade induced acute graft-versus-host disease. Delayed CTLA-4 blockade resulted in a lethal condition with lymphosplenomegaly, but with stable mixed T-cell chimerism, unchanged alloreactive T-cell frequencies and absent anti-host reactivity in vitro. In contrast, multiorgan lymphoproliferative disease with autoimmune hepatitis and circulating anti-DNA auto-antibodies were documented. Splenic lymphocytes exhibited ex vivo spontaneous proliferation and a marked proliferative response against host-type dendritic cells pulsed with syngeneic (host-type) tissue-peptides. Both phenomena were exclusively mediated by host and not donor T cells, supporting an autoimmune pathogenesis. Selectively host-derived T-cell immune reactivity was equally documented against leukemia-peptide-pulsed dendritic cells, and this was paralleled by a strong in vivo antileukemic effect in anti-CTLA-4-treated and subsequently leukemia-challenged chimeras. In conclusion, delayed CTLA-4 blockade induced a host-derived antileukemic effect, occurring in the context of an autoimmune syndrome and strictly separated from graft-versus-host disease. Both antileukemic and autoimmune responses depended on the allogeneic component, as neither effect was seen after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation. Our findings reveal the potential of using CTLA-4 blockade to establish antileukemic effects after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, provided autoimmunity can be controlled.

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits lymphokine activated killer cytotoxicity of bone marrow cells: implications for the graft-versus-leukemia effect in irradiation allogeneic bone marrow chimeras.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that allogeneic bone marrow (BM) chimeras preconditioned with total lymphoid irradiation and low-dose total body irradiation (TLI/TBI) develop a stronger graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect than chimeras preconditioned with high-dose total body irradiation only (TBI). Here, we report on the possible role of cytokines in the mechanism underlying this GVL effect. METHODS: Splenic mRNA levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and of inducible nitric oxide synthetase were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in TLI/TBI- or TBI-conditioned C3H/AKR BM chimeras challenged with AKR-type BW5147.3 leukemia cells. Ex vivo TGF-beta protein production by splenocytes was determined using ELISA. The possibility that cytokines influence the GVL effect by modulating the activity of IL-2-activated lymphocytes (LAK cells) was investigated by in vitro assays on donor-type BM cells. RESULTS: Of all cytokine mRNA levels studied, those of TGF-beta and IL-7 were different between groups; both were significantly more elevated in TBI- than in TLI/ TBI-conditioned or normal mice. Differences were apparent after conditioning and were not influenced by additionally injected BM or leukemia cells. Cultured splenocytes of TBI-conditioned animals produced significantly more TGF-beta protein than those of TLI/TBI-conditioned ones or normal controls. r-TGF-beta but not r-IL-7 suppressed in vitro LAK activity of donor-type BM cells against BW5147.3 cells in a dose-dependent way. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose TBI-induced, host-derived splenic TGF-beta may inhibit generation of LAK cells from subsequently transplanted donor BM cells, suppressing their capacity to generate cytotoxicity upon injection of leukemia cells. The cytokine profile, induced by irradiation in host hematopoietic organs, can significantly modify posttransplant immunological processes such as the GVL effect and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Transplantation tolerance and autoimmunity after xenogeneic thymus transplantation.

Successful grafting of vascularized xenografts (Xgs) depends on the ability to reliably induce both T cell-independent and -dependent immune tolerance. After temporary NK cell depletion, B cell suppression, and pretransplant infusion of donor Ags, athymic rats simultaneously transplanted with hamster heart and thymus Xgs developed immunocompetent rat-derived T cells that tolerated the hamster Xgs but provoked multiple-organ autoimmunity. The autoimmune syndrome was probably due to an insufficient development of tolerance for some rat organs; for example, it led to thyroiditis in the recipient rat thyroid, but not in simultaneously transplanted donor hamster thyroid. Moreover, grafting a mixed hamster/rat thymic epithelial cell graft could prevent the autoimmune syndrome. These experiments indicate that host-type thymic epithelial cells may be essential for the establishment of complete self-tolerance and that mixed host/donor thymus grafts may induce T cell xenotolerance while maintaining self-tolerance in the recipient.

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

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 cytotoxicity assays indicated that this species-specific tolerance was based on B-lymphocyte and NK-cell tolerance respectively.

Effect of treatments with cyclosporin A and anti-interferon-gamma antibodies on the mechanisms of immune tolerance in staphylococcal enterotoxin B primed mice.

The authors were interested to investigate the effect of Cyclosporin A (CsA), known to block interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, or of anti-interferon-gamma antibodies (anti-IFN-gamma Abs) in a model of T cell tolerance induced by the injection of the superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB) in BALB/c mice. After SEB immunization, tolerance was mainly achieved through deletion and anergy of SEB-reactive V beta 8+ T cells. Association of CsA treatment with SEB led to a greater decrease of the percentage of V beta 8+ CD4+ lymphocytes in the spleen and an abolition of clonal energy. In contrast, treatment of SEB primed mice with anti-IFN-gamma Abs resulted in an increased percentage of V beta 8+ CD4+ cells without affecting the induction of clonal anergy. The authors found that 1-2 h after SEB priming, splenic mRNA levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 were decreased by either CsA and anti-IFN-gamma Abs, whereas FasL, Bcl-2, p. 53, and c-myc levels were not influenced by either treatment. However, SEB-induced IL-2 and IL-10 mRNA expression was suppressed only by CsA, whereas tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was decreased only by anti-IFN-gamma Abs. To investigate whether the effect of CsA on the tolerance mechanisms was related to suppression of IL-2, CsA was administered together with recombinant IL-2. Whereas anergy was not influenced, the decreased percentage of V beta 8+ CD4+ cells seen in CsA-treated animals in the second week after SEB injection was partially corrected by the administration of IL-2. Experiments involving bromodeoxiuridine incorporation revealed that the latter effect of IL-2 was mainly due to a correction of the defective proliferation of V beta 8+ T cells after SEB injection in CsA-treated mice. These results suggest that the effect of CsA and anti-IFN-gamma Abs on tolerance mechanisms are in part explained by their action on cytokines.

Increased mortality and impaired clonal deletion after staphylococcal enterotoxin B injection in old mice: relation to cytokines and nitric oxide production.

In the present study peripheral T cell tolerance and the occurrence of shock were evaluated in young and old mice after injection of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). In young mice SEB immunization leads to tolerance based on deletion and anergy of SEB-reactive V beta 8+ T cells. With aging, mice developed resistance to SEB-induced deletion of V beta 8+ T cells as well as a high sensitivity to toxic shock. Compared to young mice, older mice injected with SEB showed increased serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4. These results were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), as splenic mRNA levels taken 2 h after SEB injection showed higher values of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma in old mice. In contrast, mRNA levels for FasL and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were lower. No difference in IL-10 mRNA was found. Compared to young mice, old mice showed a high, but statistically not significantly different (P = 0.20), production of nitric oxide (NO). Blocking of IFN-gamma with antibodies or reducing IFN-gamma by depletion of natural killer (NK) cells resulted, respectively, in a complete or partial protection against mortality in aged mice. Suppressing the NO production by the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) increased the mortality in both young and old mice, and abrogated clonal deletion in the surviving young mice. In conclusion, in young mice NO production is a key factor in the protection against mortality and the development of clonal deletion after SEB injection. The higher mortality seen in older mice is mainly related to the elevated production of IFN-gamma and occurs despite a sufficient production of NO. The decreased clonal deletion of old mice may be related to their decreased expression of Fas ligand or TNF-alpha after SEB injection.

Use of the methylxanthine derivative A802715 in transplantation immunology: I. Strong in vitro inhibitory effects on CD28-costimulated T cell activities.

BACKGROUND: Recently, methylxanthines such as pentoxifylline (PTX) were shown to be immunosuppressive in vitro. Unfortunately, when used in transplant patients, PTX was poorly active as an immunosuppressant. Here we report that the new methylxanthine derivative A802715 not only is more active than PTX, it also suppresses the cyclosporine (CsA)-resistant "signal two"-dependent pathway of T cell proliferation, making it an interesting drug to associate with CsA. METHODS: "Signal one"- and "signal two"-dependent T cell activation was investigated with purified human T cells stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 or anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or with a 3T6 mouse fibroblast cell line presenting anti-CD3 mAb on transfected human Fcgamma receptors II (FcgammaRII) in the presence or absence of transfected B7-1 (CD80) molecules. RESULTS: A802715 was more immunosuppressive in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) than PTX. A802715 dose-dependently suppressed polyclonal signal one-dependent T cell activation induced by anti-CD3 mAb/PMA. In addition, A802715 also suppressed signal two-dependent T cell proliferation induced by anti-CD28 mAb/PMA. The expression of the interleukin-2 receptor on T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 mAb presented on 3T6/FcgammaRII cells was equally well suppressed by A802715 and PTX. In contrast, interleukin-2 receptor or CD40L (gp39) expression by T cells after stimulation with the same anti-CD3 mAb- 3T6/FcgammaRII cells, but coexpressing transfected B7-1, was only suppressed by A802715. The anticipated synergism between A802715 and CsA was confirmed in MLR assays. Moreover, generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes during MLR with Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells, which strongly express B7-1 and B7-2, was also inhibited by A802715. CONCLUSIONS: These in vitro data indicate that the A802715 (1) is a stronger immunosuppressant for T cells than PTX, (2) suppresses T cell activation pathways that are resistant to PTX or CsA, and (3) acts synergistically with CsA.

The human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) inhibitor 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) is a strong inducer of differentiation of several tumor cell lines.

9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) is the prototype compound of a series of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate derivatives endowed with potent and selective anti-retroviral activity in vitro and in vivo. We have now found that PMEA is also a potent inducer of differentiation of a number of tumor cells, including human erythroleukemia K562 cells, rat choriocarcinoma RCHO cells and human acute promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells. At 10 microM PMEA, rat RCHO cell cultures could be almost fully differentiated, and at 50 microM PMEA, approximately 50% of the K562 cells could be triggered to produce hemoglobin. The differentiating activity of butyric acid was at least partially additive to that of PMEA when both drugs were combined in K562 cell cultures. PMEA needs to be present for at least 2 or 3 days in the K562 cell cultures to achieve optimal differentiating activity. This suggests that either a PMEA metabolite and/or its anti-metabolic effects may be responsible for differentiation of the tumor cells.

Influence of different growth factors on a rat choriocarcinoma cell line.

The influence of epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factors I and II, insulin, transforming growth factor beta 1 and transferrin on the growth of a postgestational rat choriocarcinoma was examined by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The cell line was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with fetal calf serum, beta-mercaptoethanol, glucose, sodium pyruvate and antibiotics. The experiments were done in media supplemented with 10% (optimal) or 3% (suboptimal) fetal calf serum. Among the different growth factors tested, only epidermal growth factor and to a certain extent insulin had a growth-promoting effect by themselves. The other growth factors had either an additive effect in the presence of epidermal growth factor or no effect at all. The cytotrophoblast cells expressed both epidermal growth factor and transferrin receptors whereas the more differentiated giant cells expressed only transferrin receptors.

Establishment and characterization of a continuous in vitro line from a rat choriocarcinoma.

A continuous in vitro cell line of rat choriocarcinoma has been established. It is composed of pure trophoblast cells which multiply and differentiate. The morphology of the cells is very similar to normal rat cytotrophoblasts and giant cells. The cultured cells contain cytokeratin, alkaline phosphatase and express the receptors for Bandeira simplificifolia Agglutinin-I (BSA-I). They are hormonally active as demonstrated by the presence of lactogen and progesterone in the supernatant of the culture. The injected cells develop into choriocarcinoma in syngeneic as well as allogeneic rats. The morphological, biological and immunohistochemical features of these tumors are identical to those described in the transplantable neoplasm from which the in vitro line was established. The presence of Y chromosome in cultured cells proves the paternal origin of the primary tumor developed from extra-embryonic membranes in fetectomized rat and makes this neoplasm similar to human post-gestation choriocarcinoma.

Histochemical and autoradiographic study of the cultured rat visceral yolk sac.

The proliferation and differentiation potentiality of the rat visceral yolk sac was investigated both in organ culture and after grafting in vivo. Using alkaline phosphatase as a marker for germ cells, it was shown that these cells are absent in the 12-day-old visceral yolk sac examined before and after organ culture. Therefore, the only cells that proliferate and differentiate must be of endodermal and/or mesodermal origin. By labelling the cells with [3H]thymidine both the endodermal and mesodermal cells were found to proliferate. After 10 days in organ culture or implantation in vivo differentiated tissues (e.g. squamous epidermis, endodermal cysts and giant trophoblast cells) were regularly detected. Several of these differentiated cells contained the radiolabel indicating that they derived from the initial proliferating endodermal and/or mesodermal cells.