PLATELET TRANSFUSION TOLERIZATION BY LIVER MEMBRANE TREATMENT

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A nontoxic murine model was developed in which sensitization to allogeneic platelet transfusions in [human] adults can be prevented. This model is based upon allogeneic liver membrane (LM) induction of specific humoral tolerance to major histocompatibility alloantigens. In normal mice of the C3H background, syngeneic and H-2-incompatible congeneic platelets had a t1/2 [survival half-life] = 15 .+-. 3 h; for mice of the C57BL background, the comparable t1/2 was 33 .+-. 6 h. Platelets of C3H background transfused into C57BL background recipients, and vice versa, had t1/2s midway between, 24 .+-. 3 and 24 .+-. 2 h, respectively. Genetically determined variation in normal platelet survival was suggested. In passively immunized C3H background mice, the t1/2 was decreased to 10 .+-. 2 h. In C57BL background mice actively immunized i.p. with allogeneic lymphoid cells, t1/2 was decreased to 18 .+-. 4 h. When allogeneic LM was given concomitantly with the allogeneic cells sensitization to foreign H-2 antigens was blocked, and survival of C3H and C57BL background allogeneic platelets remained normal. In this free cell allograft system LM treatment is a safe and effective method for preventing adult sensitization to allogeneic platelets.