HIGH-DOSE PORCINE HEMATOPOIETIC CELL TRANSPLANTATION COMBINED WITH CD40 LIGAND BLOCKADE IN BABOONS PREVENTS AN INDUCED ANTI-PIG HUMORAL RESPONSE

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Abstract
Background. In pig-to-primate organ transplantation, hyperacute rejection can be prevented, but the organ is rejected within days by acute vascular rejection, in which induced high-affinity anti-Galα1–3Gal (αGal) IgG and possibly antibodies directed against new porcine (non-αGal) antigenic determinants are considered to play a major role. We have explored the role of an anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody in modifying the humoral response to porcine hematopoietic cells in baboons pretreated with a nonmyeloablative regimen. Methods. Porcine peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells obtained by leukapheresis from both major histocompatibility complex-inbred miniature swine (n=7) and human decay-accelerating factor pigs (n=3) were transplanted into baboons. Group 1 baboons (n=3) underwent whole body (300 cGy) and thymic (700 cGy) irradiation, T cell depletion with ATG, complement depletion with cobra venom factor, short courses of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, porcine hematopoietic growth factors, and anti-αGal antibody depletion by immunoadsorption before transplantation of high doses (2–4×1010/cells/kg) of peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells. In group 2 (n=5), cyclosporine was replaced by eight doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies over 14 days. The group 3 baboons (n=2) received the group 1 regimen plus 2 doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies (on days 0 and 2). Results. In group 1, sensitization to αGal (with increases in IgM and IgG of 3- to 6-fold and 100-fold, respectively) and the development of antibodies to new non-αGal porcine antigens occurred within 20 days. In group 2, no sensitization to αGal or non-αGal determinants was seen, but αGal-reactive antibodies did return to their pre- peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells transplant levels. In group 3 , attenuated sensitization to αGal antigens was seen after cessation of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil therapy at 30 days (IgM 4-fold, IgG 8–30-fold), but no antibodies developed against new porcine determinants. In no baboon did anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies prevent sensitization to its own murine antigens. Conclusions. We believe these studies are the first to consistently demonstrate prevention of a secondary humoral response after cell or organ transplantation in a pig-to-primate model. The development of sensitization to the murine elements of the anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies suggests that nonresponsiveness to cell membrane-bound antigen (e.g., αGal) is a specific phenomenon and not a general manifestation of immunological unresponsiveness. T cell costimulatory blockade may facilitate induction of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and, consequently, of tolerance to pig organs and tissues.