Tolerance of a Vascularized Composite Allograft Achieved in MHC Class-I-mismatch Swine Mixed Chimerism.

Background: Vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) allow reconstruction of devastating injuries and amputations, yet require lifelong immunosuppression that is associated with significant morbidity. Induction of immune tolerance of VCAs would permit widespread use of these procedures. VCAs are acquired from deceased donors most likely to be -MHC-mismatched (in contrast to living-related renal transplant donor-recipient pairs matched at one MHC haplotype).

Toward Development of the Delayed Tolerance Induction Protocol for Vascularized Composite Allografts in Nonhuman Primates.

Background: Transplantation of vascularized composite allografts is limited mainly by the need for life-long immunosuppression. The consequent side effects and looming specter of chronic rejection portend eventual allograft loss. Development of tolerogenic protocols is thus of utmost importance to the field of vascularized composite allograft transplantation.

Genitourinary vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Purpose Of Review: Genitourinary vascularized allotransplantation (GUVCA) is gaining interest as a treatment option for patients with functional and aesthetic urogenital tissue loss. Only three cases have been done worldwide and research on the implementation and feasibility of this procedure is in an elementary state.

Recent Findings: The psychosocial impact and ethical considerations with GUVCA are remote, particularly because of the intimate and personal nature of genital tissue.