OBJECTIVE To study the immunosuppressive effect of combined therapy with FK506 and RS-61443 in rat limb allotransplantation. METHODS: A total of 101 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups and used as recipients, and 101 Wistar rats were used as donors. All SD rats were performed limb allotransplantation without using immunosuppressants in control group. In experimental groups (Groups 1-6), the recipients were immunosuppressed with various dosages of FK506, RS-61443 or FK506 + RS61443, after transplantation for 5 weeks. To evaluate the results, we observed circulation of the transplanted limb, the mean rejection time, the histologic grading of skin rejection of limb grafts and the survival time of limb grafts. RESULTS: The control group showed rejection signs (edema and erythema of the skin) after a mean time of 3.36 +/- 1.15 days, and the mean survival time of the allografts was only 7.00 +/- 0.78 days. In the groups only using FK506 or RS-61443, the survival time were prolonged to varying degrees, but rejection occurred even in the period of using drug. As dosage increased, the rejection could not be prevented and the damage to liver and kidney could be induced. In the group using FK506 in combination with RS-61443, only skin and muscle of limb allografts showed slight rejection sign, function of liver and kidney was not obviously affected, the mean survival time of limb allografts was prolonged to 58.76 +/- 6.81 days. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of FK506 and RS-61443 is a more potent immunosuppressive agent than FK506 oro RS-61443 in preventing the rejection of limb allografts, and it can obviously prolong the survival time of limb allografts.
Objective To explore effects of several immunosuppressants on cytokine expressions after repair for a sciatic nerve injury in a rat model. Methods The sciatic nerves of 42 rats were cut and suturedend to end. After operation, the rats were divided into 6 groups. Group A(n=9) was served as a control with no medicines given. Group B (n=9) was given methylprednisolone 20 mg/(kg·d) for 2 days. Groups C(n=9) and D(n=3) were given FK506 1 mg/(kg·d) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively, and were given the same doses of methylprednisolone as Group B. Groups E and F were given CsA 2 mg/(kg·d) for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively, and were given the same doses of methylprednisolone as Group B. The sciaticnerves were sampled at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. And immuneohistochemistry stainings of interleukin 1β(IL-1β)， tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interferon γ(IFN-γ) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) were performed. The staining results were compared and analyzed. Results The expression peaks of IL-1β and IFN-γ were found at the 1st week postoperatively in Group A. Then, the expression decreased rapidly at the 2nd week and disappeared at the 4th week. As for TNF-α and MIF, they were only found to have a low expression until the 1st week in Group A. In groups C-F, the expression peaks of IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ were found at the 2nd week, while the expression peak of MIF was still at the 1st week, and the expression of all the cytokines extended to the 4th week. The expressions of these cytokines in Group B were just between the expression levels of Group A and Groups C-F. Conclusion Immunosuppressants can delay the expression peaks and significantly extend the expression time of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ and MIF after repair for a sciatic nerve injury in a rat model.
Objective To study the effect of recombinant lentiviral vector mediated human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the immunological rejection after allograft l iver transplantation in rats, and to reveal the mechanism of immune tolerance. Methods Eight male Sprague Dawley (SD)rats of clean grade (aged 3 to 4 weeks, weighing 75-85 g) were selected for the isolation and culture of BMSCs; 64 adult male SD rats of clean grade (weighing 200-250 g) were used as donors; and 64 adult male Wistar rats of clean grade (weighing 230-280 g) were used as receptors. After establ ishing a stable model of rat allogeneic l iver transplantation, 1 mL sal ine, 2 ×106/mL of BMSCs 1 mL, 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/green fluorescent protein 1 mL, and 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/hHGF 1 mL were injected via the portal vein in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. Then the survival time of the rats was observed. The hepatic function was determined and the histological observation of the l iver was performed. The hHGF mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, the level of cytokine including hHGF, interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) by ELISA assay, the level of apoptosis by TUNEL method, and the expression level of prol iferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunohistochemical method. Results The survival time of group D was significantly higher than that of groups A, B, and C (P lt; 0.01); the survival time of groups B and C was significantly higher than that of group A (P lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated the transcription of hHGF mRNA in the grafts of group D; the serum cytokine hHGF reached to (6.2 ± 1.0) ng/mL. Compared with groups B and C, group D exhibited significant inhibitory effect, significantly improved l iver function, and showed mild acute rejection. In addition, the levels of cytokine IL-2 and IFN-γ decreased; the levels of cytokine IL-4 and IL-10 increased; the level of apoptosis reduced; and the expression level of PCNA increased. Except for the expression of IL-4 (P gt; 0.05), there were significant differences in the other indexes between group D and groups B, C (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion BMSCs/hHGF implanting to rat l iver allograft via portal vein can induce immune tolerance. Compared with injection of BMSCs alone, BMSCs/hHGF treatment can alleviate acute rejection and prolong the survival time significantly. The immunosuppressive effect of BMSCs/hHGF is correlated with Th2 shifts up of Th1/Th2 shift, reduced apoptosis, promoted l iver regeneration.
【摘要】目的探讨肝肠联合移植的术式、免疫抑制治疗方案与效果。方法对一中年男性短肠综合征患者施行辅助性肝肠联合移植，术后患者免疫抑制治疗采用甲波尼龙（MP）、环孢素A（CsA）、环磷酰胺（CTX）与抗淋巴细胞球蛋白（ALG）处理。结果术后观察期内移植物存活良好。结论本例采用的免疫抑制治疗方案是成功的，且手术方法操作较为简便、易行。
Objective To investigate effect of intravitreal injection of FK506 on the survival of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells heter oplastically transplanted into the subretinal space of rabbits.Methods The immortalized human RPE cells were genetically labeled by retrovirus vector carrying a green fluorescent protein (GFP). A total of 50 μl RPE cells suspension with 4×103 cells/μl which expressed GFP were injected into the subretinal space of both eyes of 18 white rabbits and 10 gray rabbits. The left eyes of all of the rabbits were injected of 5 μl FK506 (5 μg/μl) intravitreally once a week during the first 5 weeks, then once every other week until the 20th week and the right eyes were as the control. The histological sections of heteroplastic RPE cells were observed by epifluorescent microscope.Results GFP-expressing cells could be seen after 1 week, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, and 54 weeks in white rabbits and after 4 , 5, 6, 7, 14, 18, 20, and 26 weeks in gray rabbits. The configuration and integrality of the RPE-GFP cells in the left eyes which had been intravitreally injected of FK506 1-14 weeks after transplantation were better than those in the right eyes without injection. After 18 weeks, the condition of heteroplastic cells with few difference in both eyes in 7 white and 3 gray rabbits were found. After 1-6 weeks, focal and disseminated lymphocytes around the choroidal small vessles of right eyes in 6 white and 3 gray rabbits could be seen while the infiltration of the lymphocytes in the left eyes was much reduced.Conclusion Intravitreal injection of a small amount of FK506 at the first 3 months after transplantation may significantly improve the survival of heteroplastic RPE cells in the subretinal space of rabbits. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：333-404)
Objective To explore the effects of several immunosuppressants on the cell numbers of cultured rat macrophages and Schwann’s cells. Methods The macrophages and Schwann’s cells were cultured from the newborn Wistar rats. Different concentrations of methylprednisolone(10-3, 10－4,10－6 and 10－8 mol/L), CsA(10－5, 10－6, 10－7 and 10－8 mol/L) and FK506(10-6, 10－7, 10－8 and 10－9 mol/L) were administrated to the cells, while control group was given no drugs. Twentyfour, 48 and 72 hours after administration, the cells from different concentrations were measured with MTT methods respectively. Theresults were compared and analyzed statistically. Results Only high concentration methylprednisolone (10-4 mol/L) and a certain range of concentrations of CsA (10-6，10-7 and 10-8 mol/L) and FK506 (10-7,10-8 and 10-9 mol/L) can provide protection to culturedrat macrophages. Under most concentrations, CsA and FK506 had no effects onthe cell number of cultured rat Schwann’s cell. Only with high concentration CsA (10-5 mol/L) and methylprednisolone (10-3 mol/L) could significantly decreased the cell number of Schwann’s cell. Long time (72 hours) and low dosage (10-8 mol/L) administration of methylprednisolone could significantlyprotect Schwann’s cell. Conclusion High concentration methylprednisolone and some certain concentration CsA and FK506 can protect cultured rat macrophages. But high concentration CsA and methylprednisolone prohibit the proliferation of Schwann’s cells. Only long time and low dosage methylprednisolonecan protect cultured rat Schwann’s cells.