Scientists at University of Maryland publish new data on immunology
2007 NOV 21 -- According to recent research published in the Journal of Immunology, "Pharmacologic antagonism of CCR5, a chemokine receptor expressed on macrophages and activated T cells, is an effective antiviral therapy in patients with macrophage-tropic HIV infection, but its efficacy in modulating inflammation and immunity is only just beginning to be investigated. In this regard, the recruitment of CCR5-bearing cells into clinical allografts is a hallmark of acute rejection and may anticipate chronic rejection, whereas conventionally immunosuppressed renal transplant patients homozygous for a nonfunctional Delta 32 CCR5 receptor rarely exhibit late graft loss." "Therefore, we explored the effects of a potent, highly selective CCR5 antagonist, Merck's compound 167 (CMPD 167), in an established cynomolgus monkey cardiac allograft model. Although perioperative stress responses (fever, diminished activity) and the recruitment of CCR5-bearing leukocytes into the graft were markedly attenuated, anti-CCR5 monotherapy only marginally prolonged allograft survival. In contrast, relative to cyclosporine A monotherapy, CMPD 167 with cyclosporine A delayed alloantibody production, suppressed cardiac allograft vasculopathy, and tended to further prolong graft survival," wrote C. Schroder and colleagues, University of Maryland. The researchers concluded: "CCR5 therefore represents an attractive therapeutic target for attenuating postsurgical stress responses and favorably modulating pathogenic alloimmunity in primates, including man." Schroder and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Immunology (CCR5 blockade modulates inflammation and alloimmunity in primates. Journal of Immunology, 2007;179(4):2289-2299). For additional information, contact R.N. Pierson, University of Maryland, Division Cardiac Surgery, Dept. of Surgery, 22 S Green St., Room N4W94, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Immunology is: American Association Immunologists, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Immunology, University of Maryland. This article was prepared by Immunotherapy Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Immunotherapy Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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