The rejuvenating effects of leuprolide acetate on the aged baboon's thymus.

Background: We have previously demonstrated that the juvenile thymus plays an essential role in tolerance induced by both renal transplantation and a short course of calcineurin inhibitors. Aged thymi have a decreased ability to induce tolerance. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) is known to pharmacologically rejuvenate the thymus in rodents.

Development of antidonor antibody directed toward non-major histocompatibility complex antigens in tolerant animals.

Background: The clinical significance of antibodies directed against antigens other than major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens is poorly understood, and there are few large animal models in which such antibodies can be examined. We studied, both retrospectively and prospectively, the development of antibodies to non-MHC antigens in tolerant miniature swine.

Methods: Our database was assessed for cases of antidonor antibody formation in tolerant animals over the last 20 years.

Vascularized composite allograft transplant survival in miniature swine: is MHC tolerance sufficient for acceptance of epidermis?

Background: We have previously reported that Massachusetts General Hospital miniature swine, which had accepted class I-mismatched kidneys long-term after 12 days of high-dose cyclosporine A, uniformly accepted donor-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched kidneys without immunosuppression but rejected donor MHC-matched split-thickness skin grafts by day 25, without changes in renal graft function or antidonor in vitro responses. We have now tested whether this "split tolerance" would also be observed for the primarily vascularized skin of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs).

Methods: Group 1 animals (n=3) received donor MHC-matched VCAs less than 70 days after primary kidney transplant (KTx).