PURPOSE: This project is designed to investigate the immune response of a rat transplantation model to donor specific allogeneic blood transfusion (DST) prior to kidney transplantation. It has been hypothesized that partial activation of the immune system due to allogeneic antigen presentation, followed by immune unresponsiveness. In addition, previous models have shown prolonged donor cell microchimerism can be established following organ transplantation. Mixed chimerism has been demonstrated in organ transplant recipients surviving over a long period. Attempts were made to assess the fate and movements of donor cells following organ transplantation.
METHODS: Rat male-to-female renal transplantation and microchimerism was assessed by semiquantitative PCR. A PCR specific for the Y-chromosome (sex-determining region Y[Sry]) allowed the distinction of small amounts of male cells in a large excess of female cells. The study group was divided into four according to the donor specific transfusion (DST) and cyclosporin (CsA) Group 1 are recipients without DST or CsA administration, Group 2 are recipient with CsA, Group 3 with DSILT and Group 4 with full immunosuppresive agent (CsA & DSILT). The samples were obtained at thymus, lymph node, spleen and sternum following transplantation day 1, 7, 21. Donor cell microchimerism were detected by donor Y chromosome in female recipients using PCR
RESULTS: The Y-chromosome was detected at high levels in group 4, 21 days after transplantation. The detection ratio in the lymph node was higher than in the other organs.
CONCLUSION: The fate of donor cell were closely related to he additional supporting immunosuppressive agent.
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