Donor Recipient Chimeric Cells Induce Chimerism and Extend Survival of Vascularized Composite Allografts

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of donor recipient chimeric cell (DRCC) therapy created by fusion of donor and recipient derived bone marrow cells (BMC) in chimerism and tolerance induction in a rat vascularized composite allograft (VCA) model. Twenty-four VCA (groin flaps) from MHC-mismatched ACI (RT1^a) donors were transplanted to Lewis (RT1^l) recipients. Rats were randomly divided into (n = 6/group): Group 1—untreated controls, Groups 2—7-day immunosuppression controls, Group 3—DRCC, and Group 4—DRCC with 7-day anti-αβTCR monoclonal antibody and cyclosporine A protocol. DRCC created by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of ACI and Lewis BMC were cultured and transplanted (2–4 × 10⁶) to VCA recipients via intraosseous delivery route. Flow cytometry assessed peripheral blood chimerism while fluorescent microscopy and PCR tested the presence of DRCC in the recipient’s blood, bone marrow (BM), and lymphoid organs at the study endpoint (VCA rejection). No complications were observed after DRCC intraosseous delivery. Group 4 presented the longest average VCA survival (79.3 ± 30.9 days) followed by Group 2 (53.3 ± 13.6 days), Group 3 (18 ± 7.5 days), and Group 1 (8.5 ± 1 days). The highest chimerism level was detected in Group 4 (57.9 ± 6.2%) at day 7 post-transplant. The chimerism declined at day 21 post-transplant and remained at 10% level during the entire follow-up period. Single dose of DRCC therapy induced long-term multilineage chimerism and extended VCA survival. DRCC introduces a novel concept of customized donor-recipient cell-based therapy supporting solid organ and VCA transplants.