T-cell alterations in cardiac allograft recipients after B7 (CD80 and CD86) blockade

T-cell activation requires engagement of the T cell receptor with the antigen-MHC and simultaneous ligation of the coreceptor CD28. CD28 binds both the CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) ligands on antigen-presenting cells. The functional role of these costimulatory pathways in transplantation is not completely understood. We tested the hypothesis that in vivo blockade of the CD28 pathway via the anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) would prolong allograft survival.

Neonatal C57BL/6J (H2b) hearts were transplanted to CBA/J (H2k) recipients in a heterotopic nonvascularized model, with anti-CD80 and/or anti-CD86 mAbs being administered intravenously at the time of allografting (day 0) and on the following day (day 1).

Anti-CD80 mAb (29.8+/-1.5 days) and anti-CD86 mAb (30.8+/-0.5 days) alone significantly prolonged allograft survival compared with the isotype control (10.7+/-0.4 days, P < 0.01, Wilcoxon rank sum). The concurrent (days 0 and 1) and sequential administration of anti-CD86 mAb on days 0 and 1 plus anti-CD80 mAb on days 2 and 3 prolonged allograft survival to >80 days. Simultaneous administration of anti-CD80 and anti-CD86 mAbs significantly suppressed donor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to alloantigen. Anti-CD86 mAb suppressed intragraft interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-12 p40, and IL-15 mRNA expression.

Anti-CD80 and/or anti-CD86 mAbs are potent immunosuppressants in prolonging allograft survival. Combined blockade of the B7 (CD80 and CD86) ligands seems to be the most effective in prolonging allograft survival and suppressing donor-specific allogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. In vivo blockade of CD86, in comparison to CD80, had the greatest immunosuppressive effect on day 7 intragraft cytokines, suggesting its role on early allogeneic immune responses.