Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät

Institut für Biowissenschaften

Fachgebiet: Biochemie

Betreuer: PD Dr. Manfred Lehmann



Dipl. Biol. Anja Siepert
(e-mail: anja.siepert@med.uni-rostock.de )

RELEVANCE OF THERAPY CONCEPTS USING COMBINATION THERAPIES IN EXPERIMENTAL TRANSPLANTATION

The immunosuppressive drug Cyclosporin A is highly effective in various models of transplantation and autoimmunity. But it can interfere with tolerance inducing protocols. The fundamental mechanism underlying this effect is as yet only poorly elucidated. In order to investigate the effect of CyA treatment on anti-CD4 mAb induced tolerance we studied this drug combination in rat kidney transplantation model. Our data demonstrate that co-administration of CyA and anti-CD4 mAbs abrogates tolerance induction. Expression of B cell chemokines was elevated in mesangial cells, leading to B cell activation, allo-antibody production and complement deposition with subsequent glomeruli and allograft destruction.