IDEC-131 (anti-CD154), sirolimus and donor-specific transfusion facilitate operational tolerance in non-human primates.

CD154-specific antibody therapy prevents allograft rejection in many experimental transplant models. However, initial clinical transplant trials with anti-CD154 have been disappointing suggesting the need for as of yet undetermined adjuvant therapy. In rodents, donor antigen (e.

Human renal allograft rejection despite the absence of allogeneic passenger leukocytes.

Passenger leukocytes have been suggested to be both pro-tolerant and immunogenic. The opportunity to evaluate the role of allogeneic passenger leukocytes in humans was presented by a 47-year-old man who donated bone marrow to his HLA-identical leukemic sister. Eleven years later he developed renal failure.

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction and sirolimus monotherapy supports prolonged islet allograft function in a nonhuman primate islet transplantation model.

Background: We reported that rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG) induction followed by maintenance immunosuppression with sirolimus supports human kidney allograft survival and asked if this combination would promote islet allograft survival in our primate model.

Methods: Using intra-arterial streptozotocin infusion, we rendered four cynomolgus primates diabetic with undetectable C-peptide levels. Animals were maintained on insulin therapy for at least 1 month, and then islets from mixed lymphocyte reaction mismatched primates were infused into the portal vein.

Studies investigating pretransplant donor-specific blood transfusion, rapamycin, and the CD154-specific antibody IDEC-131 in a nonhuman primate model of skin allotransplantation.

Anti-CD154 variably prolongs allograft survival in nonhuman primates. Rodent studies suggest that adding pretransplant donor-specific transfusion (DST) and/or rapamycin to anti-CD154 improves survival. The CD154-specific Ab IDEC-131 was tested alone and in combination with rapamycin for its ability to inhibit rhesus MLRs.