Chronic rejection in rhesus monkey kidney allografts

Abstract

OME years ago, Borleffs et al’--? performed a large series of kidney allograft in rhesus monkeys (M~CUCLI nzul~~ttu) to study the effect of pretransplant blood transfusions, cyclosporine, and/or azathioprine on graft survival. In a number of animals, long-term graft survival was obtained after pretransplant blood transfusions and induction treatment with cyclosporinc. A retrospective evaluation showed a beneficial influence of MHC-DR-matched blood transfusions resulting in graft survival without immunosuppression.’ One animal not included in the present study showed permanent graft survival now for more than 13 years after cessation of immunosuppression; a recent biopsy showed normal histology. This animal had received cyclosporine for 12 months, 2 MHC-DR-matched blood transfusions, and no repeated mismatch between blood donors and kidney donor for either MHC class I and II antigens. All other cases rejected their graft during the period they received immunosuppressive drugs or after discontinuation of therapy. The delayed loss of grafts is ascribed not only to the immune reaction of the recipient to the donor organ but also by an atherosclerotic vessel wall response. We therefore revised the histopatholoby of the rcjccted allografts with special emphasis on signs of chronic rejection.