DEPLETION OF CELLS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTIBODY-MEDIATED GRAFT REJECTION

摘要

The present invention provides compositions, and methods of using said compositions, which are useful to reduce allogeneic or xenogeneic graft rejection. The invention provides methods and compositions for promoting in an animal of a first species a state of tolerance against Gal alpha 1,3Gal epitopes present on a xenograft from an animal of a second species, thereby preventing hyperacute rejection (HAR) of the xenograft. The methods and compositions according to the invention cause the elimination or anergy of specific lymphoid cells which are responsible for the production of xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNAs) which cause HAR of the xenograft. The invention also provides immunotoxin compositions and methods of using the same which are useful to reduce allogeneic or xenogeneic antibody-mediated graft rejection. The methods and compositions according to the invention cause the reduction or elimination of specific cells responsible for the production of antibodies that cause graft rejection.