Indefinite survival of rat islet allografts following infusion of donor bone marrow without cytoablation

C. Ricordi, N. Murase, C. Rastellini, R. Behboo, A. J. Demetris, T. E. Starzl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have tested the effect of donor bone marrow cell (DBMC) infusion on the survival of pancreatic islet allografts in the rat, without the use of cytoablative recipient conditioning. Lewis and diabetic Brown Norway rats were used as donors and recipients, respectively. Donor islets were placed beneath the left renal capsule. Infusion of DBMC and temporary immunosuppression followed by delayed islet transplantation resulted in indefinite survival of all islet grafts (MST >180 days). Control animals demonstrated recurrent hyperglycemia (islet allografts rejection). Donor bone marrow derived cells were detected in the spleen and cervical lymph nodes of BN recipients of LEW bone marrow but not in the recipients of islet transplants alone. Second set full thickness skin grafts were performed in normal BN and in recipients of a previously successful ITX. Donor specific skin grafts were accepted in the animals that had received DBMC 40 days before the islet allograft, while animals receiving DBMC at the time of the islet allograft rejected the donor specific skin graft similarly to the controls. However, these animals did not reject a second set donor-specific islet transplant. The results indicate that radiation conditioning of the recipients was not necessary to induce microchimerism and graft acceptance in this rodent model of islet allotransplantation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)53-55
Number of pages3
JournalCell Transplantation
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Allograft
  • Bone marrow
  • Islet
  • Tolerance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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