Selective depletion of alloreactive T cells leads to long-term islet allograft survival across a major histocompatibility complex mismatch in diabetic mice

Cell Transplant. 2013;22(10):1929-41. doi: 10.3727/096368912X658025. Epub 2012 Oct 25.

Abstract

Islet cell transplantation as a therapy for type 1 diabetes has been limited by progressive graft loss. Significant immunosuppression including T-cell ablation has been used in an attempt to limit islet rejection. Here, we show that CD3(+) lymphocytes depleted of alloreactive T cells selected from a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), where responder BALB/c splenocytes stained with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) were stimulated with irradiated C57BL/6 splenocytes for 5 days, infused into diabetic immunodeficient mice are capable of restoring a broad T-cell repertoire and specifically do not reject islet transplants from the strain (C57BL/6) used in the original depletion. These mice demonstrate reconstitution with CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, the capacity to reject third-party grafts (CBA), and restoration of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) responses to third-party alloantigens. Over time, both forkhead box P3-positive (Foxp3(+)) T regulatory cells (Tregs) and γδ T cells expand, suggesting a role for peripheral tolerance, in addition to the initial depletion of alloreactive T cells, in long-term islet graft survival. Our results suggest that immune restoration with CD3(+) lymphocytes where alloreactive T cells are removed can restore cognate immunity without islet allograft loss and recurrence of diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD3 Complex / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / surgery*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Survival / immunology
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation*
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, SCID
  • Phenotype
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • CD3 Complex
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Interferon-gamma