The effect of CD28/B7 blockade on alloreactive T and B cells after liver cell transplantation.

Background: Hepatocyte cell lines are beginning to be developed as universal donors for isolated liver cell transplantation, which is a less invasive method than orthotopic liver transplantation for treatment of metabolic liver disease. The immune response to isolated liver cell transplantation and its modification by costimulatory blockade are as yet not well delineated.

Methods: Adenovirus expressing CTLA4Ig was used to study blockade of the costimulatory CD28/B7 pathway in murine models of hepatocyte transplantation, and the effects on alloreactive T and B cells were studied.

A prospective comparison of three heat preservation methods for patients undergoing hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objective: To prospectively compare 3 methods of body heat preservation in patients undergoing surgery requiring the use of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: Prospective, randomized, and nonblinded.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

CTLA4Ig inhibits T cell-dependent B-cell maturation in murine systemic lupus erythematosus.

Long-term administration of CTLA4Ig prevents the onset of disease in systemic lupus erythematosus-prone (SLE-prone) NZB/NZW F1 mice. To determine the mechanism of this effect, we engineered an adenovirus that expresses murine CTLA4Ig. Administration of a single high dose of this virus results in long-term expression of CTLA4Ig in the serum and absence of an immune response to the adenoviral vector.