Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Graft-implanted, enzyme responsive, tacrolimus-eluting hydrogel enables long-term survival of orthotopic porcine limb vascularized composite allografts: A proof of concept study.

Publication Type

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Date of Publication

January 1, 2019

Journal

PloS one

Volume/Issue

14/1

ISSN

1932-6203

Currently, patients receiving vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) grafts must take long-term systemic immunosuppressive therapy to prevent immunologic rejection. The morbidity and mortality associated with these medications is the single greatest barrier to more patients being able to receive these life-enhancing transplants. In contrast to solid organs, VCA, exemplified by hand or face transplants, allow visual diagnosis of clinical acute rejection (AR), directed biopsy and targeted graft therapies. Local immunosuppression in VCA could reduce systemic drug exposure and limit adverse effects. This proof of concept study evaluated, in a large animal forelimb VCA model, the efficacy and tolerability of a novel graft-implanted enzyme-responsive, tacrolimus (TAC)-eluting hydrogel platform, in achieving long-term graft survival.

Alternate Journal

PLoS One

PubMed ID

30677062

PubMed Central ID

PMC6345449

Authors

C Anton Fries
Shari D Lawson
Lin C Wang
Kai V Slaughter
Praveen K Vemula
Ashish Dhayani
Nitin Joshi
Jeffrey M Karp
Rory F Rickard
Vijay S Gorantla
Michael R Davis

Keywords

Forelimb
Proof of Concept Study
Hydrogels
Swine
Models, Animal
Swine, Miniature
Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation
Immunosuppressive Agents
Tacrolimus
Composite Tissue Allografts
Graft Rejection
Animals
Graft Survival
Drug Implants