Manipulating adrenergic stress receptor signalling to enhance immunosuppression and prolong survival of vascularized composite tissue transplants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) to replace limbs or faces damaged beyond repair is now possible. The resulting clear benefit to quality of life is a compelling reason to attempt this complex procedure. Unfortunately, the high doses of immunosuppressive drugs required to protect this type of allograft result in significant morbidity and mortality giving rise to ethical concerns about performing this surgery in patients with non-life-threatening conditions. Here we tested whether we could suppress anti-graft immune activity by using a safe β₂ -adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist, terbutaline, to mimic the natural immune suppression generated by nervous system-induced signalling through AR.

Methods

A heterotopic hind limb transplantati

SUBMITTER: Kim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9394753 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature