Molecular imaging of innate immune cell function in transplant rejection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Clinical detection of transplant rejection by repeated endomyocardial biopsy requires catheterization and entails risks. Recently developed molecular and cellular imaging techniques that visualize macrophage host responses could provide a noninvasive alternative. Yet, which macrophage functions may provide useful markers for detecting parenchymal rejection remains uncertain.

Methods and results

We transplanted isografts from B6 mice and allografts from Balb/c mice heterotopically into B6 recipients. In this allograft across major histocompatability barriers, the transplanted heart undergoes predictable progressive rejection, leading to graft failure after 1 week. During rejection, crucial macrophage functions, including phagocytosis and release of proteases, rende

SUBMITTER: Christen T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2676889 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature