Safe use of anti‐CD154 monoclonal antibody in pig islet xenotransplantation in monkeys

Abstract

Anti‐CD154mAb is a powerful co‐stimulation blockade agent that is efficacious in preventing rejection, even in xenogeneic settings. It has been used in the majority of successful long‐term pig‐to‐non‐human primate islet transplantation models. However, its clinical use was halted as a result of thromboembolic complications that were also observed in preclinical and clinical organ transplantation models. An anti‐CD154mAb was administered to 14 streptozotocin‐induced diabetic cynomolgus monkey recipients of porcine islets, some of which received the agent for many months. Monkeys were monitored for complications, and blood monitoring was carried out frequently. After euthanasia, multiple biopsies of all organs were examined for histological features of thromboembolism. Anti‐CD154mAb prevented rejection of genetically engineered pig islets in all monkeys. No significant complications were attributable specifically to anti‐CD154mAb. There was no evidence of thromboembolism in multiple histological sections from all major organs, including the brain. Our data suggest that in diabetic monkeys with pig islet grafts, anti‐CD154mAb would appear to be an effective and safe therapy, and is not associated with thromboembolic complications.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2017
Source ID
10.1111/xen.12283

Entities

People

  • David Ayares
  • David K.C. Cooper
  • Edwin C. Klein
  • Joshua Graeme‐wilson
  • Massimo Trucco
  • Michael F. Knoll
  • Rita Bottino

Organizations

  • JDRF
  • National Institutes of Health
  • United States Department of Defense
  • United Therapeutics
  • University of Aberdeen
  • University of Pittsburgh

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech