Relationship between immunological rejection and matrix GLA protein in cryopreserved vascular allografts

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 2415 - 2417
• Main Authors: Kiji, T., Dohi, Y., Nishizaki, K., Sakaguchi, H., Nagasaka, S., Hayata, Y., Yonemasu, K., Taniguchi, S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.10.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta - transplantation; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium-Binding Proteins - genetics; Cryopreservation; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - genetics; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Graft Rejection - immunology; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; Matrix Gla Protein; Medical sciences; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Rats, Inbred Lew; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tacrolimus - therapeutic use; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Transplantation, Homologous - immunology; Medicine; Rejection; Graft(material); Treatment; Cryopreservation; Matrix Gla protein; Surgery; Blood vessel; Homograft; Graft; Transplantation; Circulatory system
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.06.032

Cryopreserved tissue allografts used for cardiovascular diseases become calcified as a late complication after transplantation, probably caused by immunological rejection. Recent attention has been focused on the inhibitory effect of matrix Gla protein (MGP) on ectopic vascular calcification, but the behavior of MGP in cryopreserved allografts is uncertain. In this study we examined the relationship between immunological rejection and MGP in cryopreserved rat aortic grafts after transplantation. Cryopreserved rat aortae were isografted or allografted intraperitoneally. Fresh isografts were also tested. The grafts were retrieved 9 days after transplantation and the intragraft MGP mRNA was measured by a real-time quantitative PCR method. The effect of daily administration of FK506 on MGP mRNA levels in cryopreserved isografts and allografts after transplantation was also evaluated. There was no significant difference in intragraft MGP mRNA levels between fresh and cryopreserved isografts 9 days after transplantation. MGP expression levels in cryopreserved allografts were significantly lower as compared to those in cryopreserved isografts ( P < .01). Daily administration of FK506 enhanced intragraft MGP mRNA (ninefold) in cryopreserved allografts ( P < .01), but not in cryopreserved isografts. Immunological rejection is likely to inhibit MGP expression in cryopreserved vascular allografts, resulting in late-onset calcification.