Evaluation of the Immuno-Protective Effects of the New-Type of Bags Using ELISA- and FACS-Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated the usefulness of modified polyurethane (MPU) coating micropore membrane bags for diminishing the immunological responses following organ or tissue transplantation in allogeneic setting. Spleen from Brown Norway (BN) rats (donor) were placed into the peritoneal cavity of Lewis rat (recipient) either directly or inside of MPU coated bags. Lewis rat with Sham’s operation served as control. After 12 and 24 weeks, cytokines of IL -4, IL -13, TNF -α and IFN -γ, and flow cytometric evaluations for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells of the recipient blood were carried out. TNF -α levels proved polyurethane coating effective in reducing inflammatory reaction at 12 weeks. Twelve week IFN -γ and, CD4⁺ and CD8 cells indicated that graft-versus-host-reaction (GVHR) took place but polyurethane coated bag did not prevent or reduced this reaction. Thus, this study shows that MPU coating might be functional in preventing inflammatory reaction but is not useful for preventing GVHR.