Donor T Cell Activation Initiates Small Bowel Allograft Rejection Through an IFN-γ-Inducible Protein-10-Dependent Mechanism

Abstract

The poor success in controlling small bowel (SB) allograft rejection is partially attributed to the unique immune environment in the donor intestine. We hypothesized that Ag-induced activation of donor-derived T cells contributes to the initiation of SB allograft rejection. To address the role of donor T cell activation in SB transplantation, SB grafts from DO11.10 TCR transgenic mice (BALB/c, H-2Ld+) were transplanted into BALB/c (isografts), or single class I MHC-mismatched (Ld-deficient) BALB/c H-2dm2 (dm2, H-2Ld−) mutant mice (allografts). Graft survival was followed after injection of control or antigenic OVA323–339 peptide. Eighty percent of SB allografts developed severe rejection in mice treated with antigenic peptide, whereas <20% of allografts were rejected in mice treated with control peptide (p < 0.05). Isografts survived >30 days regardless of OVA323–339 administration. Activation of donor T cells increased intragraft expression of proinflammatory cytokine (IFN-γ) and CXC chemokine IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 mRNA and enhanced activation and accumulation of host NK and T cells in SB allografts. Treatment of mice with neutralizing anti-IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 mAb increased SB allograft survival in Ag-treated mice (67%; p < 0.05) and reduced accumulation of host T cells and NK cells in the lamina propria but not mesenteric lymph nodes. These results suggest that activation of donor T cells after SB allotransplantation induces production of a Th1-like profile of cytokines and CXC chemokines that enhance infiltration of host T cells and NK cells in SB allografts. Blocking this pathway may be of therapeutic value in controlling SB allograft rejection.