a-modified-murine-heterotopic-heart-transplant-protocol-matching

A Modified Murine Heterotopic Heart Transplant Protocol Matching Contemporary Standards of Aseptic Technique, Anesthesia, and Analgesia

The development of experimental models of cardiac transplantation in animals has contributed to many advances in the fields of immunology and solid organ ...

The University of Western Australia

This study sought to examine nevirapine hypersensitivity (NVP HSR) phenotypes and their relationship with differing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I and Class II alleles and the associated CD4 and CD8 T-cell NVP-specific responses and their durability over time.

HLA Class I restricted CD8+ and Class II restricted CD4+ T cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of nevirapine hypersensitivity.

The lung achieves an efficient gas exchange between a complex non-sterile atmosphere and the body via a delicate and extensive epithelial surface, with high efficiency because of elastic deformation allowing for an increase and decrease in volume during the process of breathing and because of an extensive vasculature which aids rapid gas diffusion. The lungs' large surface area exposes the organ to a continual risk of damage from pathogens, toxins or irritants; however, lung damage can be rapidly healed via regenerative processes that restore its structure and function. In response to sustained and extensive damage, the lung is healed via a non-regenerative process resulting in scar tissue which locally stiffens its structure, which over time leads to a serious loss of lung function and to increasing morbidities. This review discusses what is known about the factors which influence whether a lung is healed by regeneration or repair and what potential new therapeutic approaches may positively influence lung healing.

Regeneration and repair in the healing lung.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease associated with chronic inflammation and tissue remodelling leading to fibrosis, reduced pulmonary function, respiratory failure and death. Bleomycin (Blm)-induced lung fibrosis in mice replicates several clinical features of human IPF, including prominent lymphoid aggregates of predominantly B cells that accumulate in the lung adjacent to areas of active fibrosis. We have previously shown a requirement for B cells in the development of Blm-induced lung fibrosis in mice. To determine the therapeutic potential of inhibiting B cell function in pulmonary fibrosis, we examined the effects of anti-CD20 B-cell ablation therapy to selectively remove mature B cells from the immune system and inhibit Blm-induced lung fibrosis. Anti-CD20-B cell ablation did not reduce fibrosis in this model, however immune phenotyping of peripheral blood and lung resident cells revealed that anti-CD20 treated mice retained a high frequency of CD19 CD138 plasma cells (PCs). Interestingly, high levels of CD138 cells were also identified in the lung tissue of patients with IPF, consistent with the mouse model. Treatment of mice with bortezomib, which depletes PCs, reduced the level of Blm-induced lung fibrosis, implicating PCs as important effector cells in the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis.

Andrew Lucas

School of Biomedical Sciences

The University of Western Australia

A Modified Murine Heterotopic Heart Transplant Protocol Matching Contemporary Standards of Aseptic Technique, Anesthesia, and Analgesia

Andrew Lucas

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The University of Western Australia

A Modified Murine Heterotopic Heart Transplant Protocol Matching Contemporary Standards of Aseptic Technique, Anesthesia, and Analgesia

School of Biomedical Sciences