Grafts from elderly donors elicit a stronger immune response in the early period posttransplantation: A study in a rat model

摘要: With a growing demand for transplants, grafts from older donors are increasingly used. However, altered immune responses associated with increasing donor age may influence graft survival. We dissected the effects of on response in an experimental model. Kidneys young and old F-344 (3 18 months) transplanted into Lewis recipients were followed 6 months. Renal function, structural changes, activation tested at serial time intervals. Splenocytes peripheral blood mononuclear cells examined by flow cytometry; alloantigen-specific intracellular IFN-gamma secretion was evaluated ELISPOT. Grafts both survived observation period. The ratio changes (6/1 increased twofold vs grafts. In parallel, renal function declined fivefold kidneys. Most interestingly, elderly produced modified response: numbers T/B alloreactive T early following transplantation (P < .05). months, amounts B as well comparable versus Older elicit stronger during period posttransplantation. This process is immunogenicity Clinical immunosuppressive protocols need to consider these effects.