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CARDIOVASCULAR
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Volume 4, 1999, No 1 |
Problems in Xenografted Lung of Primates
J. Nakajima
Lung transplantation has been established as a crucial therapeutic modality for end-stage patients suffering from diffuse lung diseases. However, the waiting list for recipients of lung transplantations is becoming larger because of a scarcity of donors. Xenografts may be an alternative in the future. Primates have been used for xenotransplantation studies because of their phylogenetic similarities. In this paper, lung allotransplantation and xenotransplantation with primates are reviewed. The detection of acute rejection by chest roentgenogram and pathological examination of the biopsied graft was feasible, as in clinical lung transplantation. Analysis of the subject of T-lymphocytes derived from the primate graft could be performed by human anti-lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies. Allotransplanted lung grafts in Japanese monkeys were intact up to 182 days with FK506 (tacrolimus) monotherapy. The concentration of FK506 in the lung was higher than other organs or blood, except for the spleen. However, xenografted lung (from baboon to Japanese monkey) was rejected, even with FK506. In conclusion, primate models are beneficial for research on lung transplantation because of their similar serological and immunological characteristics.
Key words: primates, lung xenotransplantation, cross reactions, antibodies - monoclonal, detection of the acute rejection, flow cytometry, FK506 (tacrolimus)
Address for Correspondence:
Jun Nakajima, M.D.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Faculty of Medicine
University of Tokio
7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Japan 113-8655
Reference:
(CVE. 1999; 4 (1): 30-43)
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