Fibrinogen-like protein 2/fibroleukin induces long-term allograft survival in a rat model through regulatory B cells

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 12;10(3):e0119686. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119686. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

We previously described that in a rat model of heart transplantation tolerance was dependent on CD8+CD45RClow Tregs that over-expressed fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2)/fibroleukin. Little is known on the immunoregulatory properties of FGL2. Here we analyzed the transplantation tolerance mechanisms that are present in Lewis 1A rats treated with FGL2. Over-expression of FGL2 in vivo through adenovirus associated virus -mediated gene transfer without any further treatment resulted in inhibition of cardiac allograft rejection. Adoptive cell transfer of splenocytes from FGL2-treated rats with long-term graft survival (> 80 days) in animals that were transplanted with cardiac allografts inhibited acute and chronic organ rejection in a donor-specific and transferable tolerance manner, since iterative adoptive transfer up to a sixth consecutive recipient resulted in transplantation tolerance. Adoptive cell transfer also efficiently inhibited anti-donor antibody production. Analysis of all possible cell populations among splenocytes revealed that B lymphocytes were sufficient for this adoptive cell tolerance. These B cells were also capable of inhibiting the proliferation of CD4+ T cells in response to allogeneic stimuli. Moreover, gene transfer of FGL2 in B cell deficient rats did not prolong graft survival. Thus, this is the first description of FGL2 resulting in long-term allograft survival. Furthermore, allograft tolerance was transferable and B cells were the main cells responsible for this effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allografts / transplantation*
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Fibrinogen / administration & dosage*
  • Fibrinogen / genetics
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Graft Rejection / genetics
  • Graft Rejection / metabolism
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Graft Rejection / therapy*
  • Graft Survival*
  • Male
  • Rats

Substances

  • fibrinogen-like protein 2, rat
  • Fibrinogen

Grants and funding

Support was provided by the French Transplantation Society and the Fondation Progreffe to SB and the Roche Organ Transplantation Research Foundation to IA. This work has been carried out thanks to the support of the Labex IGO project (no. ANR-11-LABX-0016-01) funded by the Investissements d'Avenir French Government program, managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.