Evaluation of the Protection Induced by a Monotherapy of Anti-LFA-1 Monoclonal Antibody and Co-transplantation of Neonatal Porcine Islets with Sertoli Cells

• Author / Creator

  Bayrack, Kevin R

• Two major barriers to islet transplantation are the need for an unlimited source of donor tissue and a safer method of immunosuppression. These may be overcome by xenotransplantation of neonatal porcine islets (NPI) along with combined co-transplantation of neonatal porcine Sertoli cells (SC) and transient use of anti-LFA-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb). In this study we aimed to identify potential mechanisms responsible for prolonged NPI islet xenograft survival with our combination therapy.

  Our data demonstrates that the combination of anti-LFA-1 mAb therapy along with the co-transplantation of SC is indeed highly efficacious in preventing NPI xenograft rejection as 20/27 treated mice achieved and maintained long-term graft survival. Although it appears that T regulatory cells are not solely responsible for maintaining long-term xenograft protection, they are likely important in establishing a TH2 cell phenotype and sharing a role with secreted SC products, such as serpina3n, in prolonging NPI xenograft protection.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Neonatal Porcine Islets
  • Sertoli Cells
  • Xenotransplantation

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3XT0H

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.