On the road to tolerance induction in composite tissue allotransplantation

Abstract

In 1954, the first successful kidney transplant between identical twins opened the way for the clinical application of solid organ transplantation. Recognizing that transplantation between identical twins would not be the route to widespread relief of organ failure because of the unique avoidance of rejection, researchers directed attention to widening the donor pool. Allotransplantation was the goal and this implied a search for methods to prevent rejection and destruction of the transplant. Over time it became apparent that the use of immunosuppressive drugs carried associated toxicity along with it. The goal of many transplant clinicians and immunobiologists was to induce tolerance without altering the recipient's response to infection and other antigens.