CARDIOVASCULAR ENGINEERING Journal for Extracorporeal Circulation, Assist Devices,Transplantation and Artificial Organs
	Volume 3, 1998, No 2

IVIg and Xenotransplantation

O. Schussler, D. Genevaz, C. Ratignier-Courtat, C. Latremouille, N. Goussev, D. Glotz

Abstract:
Human intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) have been successfully used in different xenotransplant models such as pig to primate or guinea-pig to rat in order to prevent hyperacute xenograft rejection (HAR). In this study we analyse the potential interactions of IVIg with the main actors of HAR such as xenonatural antibodies (XNA), complement (through the classical or alternate pathways) activation, and endothelial cell activation. We demonstrate that IVIg infusion induces a major decrease of complement activity, through fluid-phase activation of the complement cascade. IVIg also inhibits XNA binding to endothelial cells through idiotype/anti-idiotype interactions. Last, IVIg can also modulate endothelial cell activation. Some of those mechanisms have been demonstrated to be effective in vivo. A precise understanding of the mechanisms at play could help devise more potent preparations of IVIg to be used in future clinical trials.

Keywords:
xenotransplantation, IVIg, complement, natural antibodies, idiotypes

Address for Correspondence:

Reference:
(CVE. 1998; 3 (2): 112-119)

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