Targeted complement inhibition protects vascularized composite allografts from acute graft injury and prolongs graft survival when combined with subtherapeutic cyclosporine A therapy

摘要

BackgroundRecipients of vascularized composite allografts require aggressive and life-long immunosuppression, and since the surgery is usually performed in nonlife threatening situations, the development of strategies to minimize immunosuppression is especially pertinent for this procedure. We investigated how complement affects acute graft injury, alloimmunity, and immunosuppressive therapy.