Differential effects of everolimus and cyclosporine A on intimal alpha-actin-positive cell dynamics of carotid allografts in mice.

Background: We recently demonstrated that donor medial cells are replaced by smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMA)-expressing host cells in murine carotid allografts. In this study, we investigated neointimal cell dynamics including effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and everolimus (SDZ RAD, Certican). To obtain a functional readout, we measured the effects of these treatments on cardiac allografts.

Dynamics of medial smooth muscle changes after carotid artery transplantation in transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein.

Background: Recent observations have demonstrated the importance of host cells in neointima formation after transplantation. Because little is known regarding the dynamics of host-derived cells in the graft media, we investigated this question in a mouse carotid artery transplantation model.

Methods: C57BL/6 carotid arteries were orthotopically transplanted into BALB/c mice ubiquitously expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein.

Differential effect of cyclosporine A and SDZ RAD on neointima formation of carotid allografts in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Background: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice spontaneously develop hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions. This may be an appropriate background for the development of graft vessel disease. The authors therefore investigated the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and SDZ RAD (RAD, everolimus, Certican) on neointima formation of carotid allografts in apoE-/- mice.

Efficacy of mycophenolate sodium as monotherapy and in combination with FTY720 in a DA-to-Lewis-rat heart-transplantation model.

Background: Mycophenolate sodium (MPS), which is in clinical development as an enteric-coated tablet (Myfortic), has not yet been characterized as a combination partner of FTY720. We therefore report here the effects of MPS and FTY720 mono and combination therapy in a rat heart allograft model.

Methods: Heterotopic heart allotransplantation was performed in the DA-to-Lewis-strain combinations.