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Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation
Published on: January 2, 2017
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Sulforaphane-Loaded Hydrogel Prolongs Fully MHC-Mismatched Skin Allograft Survival
Lorena Doretto-Silva1, Laura Quadros-Pereira1, Anderson F Sepulveda2
1Mucosal Health and Immunity Laboratory (MHIL), Center for Natural and Human Science, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, São Paulo 09280-560, Brazil.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|October 29, 2025
Summary
Sulforaphane (SFN) in a hydrogel significantly improved skin transplant survival in mice by reducing immune cell activation and delaying acute rejection. This offers a promising new strategy for organ transplantation. (36 words)
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Acute rejection (AR) remains a significant challenge in transplantation, impacting graft survival despite immunosuppression.
- Sulforaphane (SFN), a phytochemical, exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties, but its role in transplantation is unexplored.
- Developing novel strategies to prevent AR and enhance graft survival is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of SFN, incorporated into a thermosensitive hydrogel, on preventing acute rejection in a mouse skin transplant model.
- To assess SFN's impact on immune cell activation and allograft survival.
- To develop an effective and available delivery system for SFN in transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A thermosensitive hydrogel (GS-PL407 20%, HA and SFN) was developed and characterized.
- Fully MHC-incompatible skin transplants were performed in mice.
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) were conducted.
- Graft survival, histological analysis, flow cytometry, and in vitro BMDC activation assays were performed.
Main Results:
- The SFN-containing hydrogel (GS) showed no cytotoxicity to BMDC.
- GS treatment resulted in 80% allograft survival for over 14 days, compared to 100% graft loss by day 9 in untreated mice (p < 0.001).
- GS treatment reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased dendritic cell frequency, and modulated CD4+ T cell function, suppressing immune cell activation.
Conclusions:
- SFN delivered via a thermosensitive hydrogel effectively postpones acute rejection and prolongs allograft survival in a mouse skin transplant model.
- GS treatment reduces key immune cell activation pathways involved in transplant rejection.
- SFN represents a promising candidate for future organ transplantation research, potentially in combination with existing immunosuppression protocols.
