The inhibitory effect of decorin on lymphocyte proliferation and immunological rejection in skin transplantation

Abstract

Objective To study the inhibitory effect of decorin (DCN) on immunological rejection in skin transplantation.Methods Spleen lymphocytes were obtained from C57BL/6J mice,inoculated in a 96-well plate,and every well was added with 25 μg CoA.These cells were divided into 5 groups and cultured with DCN in different concentrations (0,25,50,75,100 μg/L) for different time (24,48,72,96 and 120 h).Negative control group (lymphocytes only) and blank control group (culture medium only)were set up.Cell proliferation rate was measured by methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay,and the percentage of cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.Twenty-four healthy BALB/C mice served as donors.Thirty C57BL/6J mice served as recipients and divided into 5 groups.Full-thickness-skin was transplanted through back to back from donor BALB/C to recipient C57BL/6J.Postoperatively,the recipients in group A (negative control) were intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% NaCl,and those in groups B,C and D with DCN (50,100 and 150 μg/L respectively).In group F skin transplantation was performed between two C57BL/6J mice.After skin transplantation,the survival time of skin allografts and the time of acute rejection were observed.Skin specimens were collected from one recipient of every group 7 days after operation and examined pathologically.Results DCN obviously depressed mice spleen lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and inducef lymphocyte apoptosis in vitro.In 100 μg/L DCN group ( group C ),there were most significant inhibitory effects,and the apoptosis rate was 77.6%.There were significant difference between group C and other groups ( P＜0.05 ).DCN could inhibit immunological rejection of skin transplantation and prolong the survival time of skin allografts.Among all the groups,survival time in group D was longest with the average survival time being ( 16.6 ±2.4) days ( P ＜0.05 ).The inhibitory effect of DCN was increased and the acute rejection was alleviated with the increase of DCN dosage.Conclusion DCN has the inhibitory effect.It can induce lymphocyte apoptosis and inhibit acute immunological rejection in skin transplantation.It can prolong the survival time of skin grafts. Key words: Skin transplantation; Decorin; Apoptosis; Immunological rejection