Pre-Transplant Therapy in Experimental Heart Transplantation

1. Introduction

Heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage cardiac dysfunction. Currently one-year graft survival ranges between 77-88%, three-year survival between 77-79% and five-year survival between 67-73% (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4588). Despite these encouraging results, primary graft failure accounts for about 23% of deaths in the first 90 days post transplantation. Pretransplant variables associated with primary graft failure include: ischemia time, donor gender, donor age, multiorgan donation, center volume, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mechanical circulatory support, etiology of heart failure, and reoperative heart transplantation (Russo et al., 2010). To target rejection of allografts, a variety of immunosuppressive protocols are used solely in the recipient who is the main focus of the therapy (The International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Guidelines for the Care of Heart Transplant Recipients Task Force 2: Immunosuppression and Rejection (Nov. 8, 2010)). Typically, neither donor nor grafts are specifically treated before or during organ harvesting except for the maintenance of circulatory and respiratory functions of the donor and irrigation of grafts with preservation solutions.

2. Graft rejection

A T-cell driven process mediated by the adaptive immune system is our classic understanding of graft rejection. Allogeneic MHC molecules on graft tissue are recognized by the recipient’s immune system by two pathways, the direct and the indirect pathway. Alloreactive T-cells in the direct pathway recognize donor MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) which pass through the transplanted tissues (Larsen et al., 1990). APCs in the indirect pathway process antigens which are derived from donor MHC molecules and present them to alloreactive T-cells (Game & Lechler, 2002). Their activation is further fuelled by co-stimulatory molecules such as the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD154) receptor-ligand pathway (Cho et al., 2000). This co-stimulation, in case of graft endothelial cells, not only reinforces T-cell activity but enhances the later recruitment of effector leukocytes, namely monocytes (Rose, 1997). Leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction, thus exaggerated, causes damage to the capillary microcirculation, organ dysfunction and ultimately graft loss (Cho et al., 2000; Rocha et al., 2003).

Although T-cells are believed to play a critical role in acute rejection, it could be shown that expression of pro-inflammatory mediators within the allograft is up-regulated even before the T-cell response. This response is mediated by the innate immune system which is independent of the adaptive immune reaction (Christopher et al., 2002; He et al., 2002; He et al., 2003). By means of RNase protection assay in a mouse heart transplantation model it has been shown that one day after transplantation the gene expression profile of the cellular infiltrate, namely chemokine receptor expression and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, was similar in RAG-deficient mice as compared to immunologically competent wild type mice (He et al., 2002). It could therefore be concluded that innate, antigen-independent pro-inflammatory processes occur shortly after transplantation and are further specifically modified by the adaptive immune response (He et al., 2003).

3. Innate immune system and ischemia reperfusion in organ transplantation

Multicellular organisms have developed immunological mechanisms to detect and to rapidly respond to threats. Such immunological mechanisms are being referred to as innate immunity. Unlike the evolutionary younger adaptive immune system, the innate immune system performs its control function by using so-called "pattern recognition" receptors (PRRs) (Janeway & Medzhitov, 2002). PRRs identify pathogenic molecules, microbial "non-self" (pathogen-associated molecular patterns [PAMP]) or recipient molecules released from damaged or "stressed" tissues ("damaged self" or damage-associated molecular patterns [DAMP]) that differ from "self" which are thought to signal through PRRs such as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in a manner similar to PAMPs (Mollen et al., 2006).

Different cell types play a role in the effector response, among others dendritic cells, natural killer cells and endothelial cells. They detect PAMPs as exogenous and DAMPs as endogenous ligands through toll-like receptors (Land, 2003; Land, 2005; Takeda & Akira, 2005) (Figure 1).

Engagement of DAMPs with TLRs leads to activation of transcription factors STAT-1, AP-1, NF-κB and IRF-3 followed by chemokine (e.g. MCP-1) and pro-inflammatory cytokine release, graft damage and ultimately graft loss.

After recognition of PAMPs the activated TLRs initiate an intracellular signalling cascade which leads to activation of transcription factors such as, e.g. activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3), expression of pro-inflammatory genes and, e.g. maturation of dendritic cells (Ishitani et al., 2003; Hemmi & Akira, 2005; Kishida et al., 2005; Sato et al., 2005; Shim et al., 2005; Takeda & Akira, 2005). Mature dendritic cells interact with naïve T-cells and trigger a T-cell response. They act therefore as a link between innate and adaptive immunity.

The process of organ injury starts even before the recipient’s immune system has the first contact with donor cells. Its starts with the oxidative damage to the graft in the brain-dead donor and continues after reperfusion (Land, 2005). NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is involved in translocation of TLR4 to lipid rafts (Nakahira et al., 2006), i.e. micro-domains of the cell membrane, a process that is important in signal transduction (Dykstra et al., 2003; Manes et al., 2003).

Figure 1.

Scheme of the innate immunity effector response after challenge by DAMPs (modified after Land 2007 ( Land, 2007 )).

DAMPs like heat shock protein 72 (HSP 72), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) and fragments of hyaluronic acid (fHA) are recognised by TLR4 and/or TLR2 ( Land, 2007 ). Activation of these TLRs initiates a signal transduction cascade to the nucleus through molecules like myeloid differentiation marker 88 (MyD88), TIR-associated protein (TIRAP) und TIR domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF), ultimately leading to activation of the transcription factors AP-1, NF-kB or IRF-3, up-regulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression and, among others, maturation of dendritic cells that all fuel the immunologic reaction against the graft ( Land, 2007 ).

In summary, ROS in the brain-dead donor and during reperfusion cause i) initial graft damage which activates the innate immune response, ii) activation of signalling pathways which further augment this response and iii) boosting of humoral, complement-mediated tissue damage ( Land, 2007 ).

4. Graft rejection and endothelial cells

In the setting of graft rejection, endothelial cells are the first donor cells which are affected by activation of the innate and adaptive immune response of the recipient. Integrity of the donor endothelium is of pivotal importance to graft function because injury to the endothelium ultimately leads to perfusion failure and graft loss. In addition, the endothelial cells themselves activate the innate immune response thereby maintaining a vicious circle (Rose, 1997; Rose, 1998; Methe et al., 2007). Graft injury due to ROS and activation of the innate immune response occurs very early at the level of the donor endothelial cells. In this context, systemic immunosuppressive therapy has the disadvantage of being initiated in the recipient while graft damage is already in transition and furthermore it does not specifically target endothelial cell damage. In fact, it may even augment it. Therefore, an adjunct pre-transplant therapy solely within the graft that addresses the pro-inflammatory effects of the innate immune response on the endothelium seems to hold great promise. Moreover, by excluding systemic effects, the therapy can be adequately dosed and administered directly to the target site because the graft vessels are readily accessible after organ explantation.

5. Decoy oligodeoxynucleotide technology in organ transplantation

To specifically address this setting, the decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) technology may provide a specific tool to directly interfere with target gene expression. Decoy (decoy=bait) ODNs are short double-stranded DNA molecules with a specific sequence of bases that typically matches the consensus DNA recognition motif of the target transcription factor. With these nucleic acid-based drugs it is possible to effectively inhibit the expression of genes which are controlled by the said transcription factor (Morishita et al., 1995). Most mammalian cells are easily transfected with these DNA molecules. In fact, their uptake by most target cells does not require any transfection agent or the like, and under physiological conditions is mediated by active transport, i.e. a carrier system and/or receptor mediated endocytosis (Figure 2).

The synthetic, 15 to 25 bp long DNA fragments usually are stabilized by replacing 2 to 3 of the terminal phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotides by phosphothio-ester bonds that afford remarkable protection against exonucleases so that they remain intact in the target cells for some days.

Figure 2.

Decoy ODN mechanism of action. Scheme depicting the mechanism of action of decoy ODN-mediated neutralization of the targeted transcription factor (TF). 1 refers to cytoplasmic TF sequestration, 2 to nuclear TF sequestration, and 3 to removal of promotor-bound TF through titration with high-affinity decoy ODNs.

As mentioned above, decoy ODNs typically harbour at least one binding site for a particular transcription factor or transcription factor family. The length of this binding site normally is derived from known DNA binding motifs for the target transcription factor in different species and on the basis of their homology (consensus sequence).

Following their uptake by the respective target cell(s), decoy ODNs bind to their target transcription factor with high affinity (comparable to the formation of an antigen-antibody complex) thereby preventing it from translocation to the nucleus and/or effectively neutralizing its activity therein.

6. Role of interferon-γ and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) in transplant rejection

Acute cellular rejection reduces the short and long-term outcome after transplantation. Recipient immune cells are recruited from the circulation into the transplant by presentation of antigens to T-helper cells whose activation is further increased by co-stimulatory molecules such as the CD40-CD154 receptor-ligand pathway (Cho et al., 2000). As a consequence, activated T-helper cells induce the increased expression of adhesion molecules on the endothelial cells of the donor organ, which leads to further recruitment of circulating monocytes into the graft and ultimately graft failure (Cho et al., 2000).

An important cytokine that is produced by activated T-helper cells is interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Due to activation of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) IFN-γ up-regulates the expression of a number of important genes for graft rejection in the endothelial cells of the donor organ such as, e.g. vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) or CD40 (De Caterina et al., 2001; Wagner et al., 2002). VCAM-1 expression, for example, fuels leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction which is a hallmark of acute vascular rejection (De Caterina et al., 2001; Wagner et al., 2002).

Signalling of IFN-γ to the nucleus of an endothelial cell starts with its binding to the corresponding receptor on the cell surface which then dimerizes (Bach et al., 1997; Boehm et al., 1997; Pestka, 1997). As a consequence, the receptor-associated tyrosine kinases JAK1 and JAK2, members of the Janus family of kinases (Boehm et al., 1997; Pestka, 1997), translocate to the cell membrane. There they phosphorylate the cytoplasmic domain of the IFN-γ receptor which is now able to recruit monomeric STAT-1 (Ivashkiv, 1995; Ihle, 1996; Darnell, 1997). After phosphorylation and dimerization the now active transcription factor translocates to the nucleus and stimulates IFN-γ-dependent gene expression by binding to the gamma-interferon-activated element (GAS) in the promoter region of its target genes (Ivashkiv, 1995; Ihle, 1996; Darnell, 1997). In addition to CD40, the expression of ICAM-1 (Naik et al., 1997) or that of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide (NO) synthase is also controlled by STAT-1 (Ganster et al., 2001).

IFN-γ as a multifunctional cytokine therefore controls many pro-inflammatory gene products whose expression is stimulated through the IFN-γ/STAT-1 pathway (Khabar et al., 2004; Khabar & Young, 2007; Liu et al., 2008; Karonitsch et al., 2009). In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the up-regulation of both CD40 and VCAM-1 expression by STAT-1 is effectively reduced using decoy ODNs directed against this transcription factor (Wagner et al., 2002; Quarcoo et al., 2004).

The role of CD40-CD154 co-stimulation in transplant rejection still is the subject of intense research (Larsen & Pearson, 1997; Cho et al., 2000). Thus it was shown in human biopsies of heart transplants that there is a significant correlation between the increased expression of CD154 and CD40 on leukocytes and endothelial cells, respectively, and acute rejection (Reul et al., 1997). The administration of monoclonal antibodies directed against CD154 prolonged renal transplant survival in rats and primates (Gudmundsdottir & Turka, 1999; Hancock, 1999; Kirk et al., 1999). Furthermore, the application of anti-CD40 antibodies in monkeys led to a significant immunosuppressive effect and prolonged graft survival (Imai et al., 2007), so that both CD40 and CD154 can be regarded as important target molecules in allograft rejection. The clinical development of the corresponding biological (humanized monoclonal anti-CD154) antibodies, however was previously thwarted by serious thromboembolic complications (Kawai et al., 2000; Koyama et al., 2004), which are suspected to have been caused by an interference with the stabilizing effect of soluble CD154 on freshly formed thrombi (Andre et al., 2002). In fact, the main source of soluble CD154 are aggregating platelets from which the membrane-bound CD154 is shed upon activation (Kaya et al., 2011; Pamukcu et al., 2011; Silvain et al., 2011; Yacoub et al., 2010). More recently, however, some progress has been made towards the development of monoclonal antibodies with less side effects (Hussein et al., 2010).

CD40 is a cell surface receptor that belongs to the family of tumor necrosis factor receptors. It is mainly expressed on B-cells and antigen-presenting cells, but also on other non-immune cells such as vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells (van Kooten & Banchereau, 2000; Schonbeck & Libby, 2001). The corresponding ligand, CD154, is a member of the TNF family and located on activated T-cells, dendritic cells, mast cells, eosinophils, activated platelets and endothelial cells (Cho et al., 2000). CD40 stimulation in endothelial cells elicits a marked increase in expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines, which in turn facilitate the extravasation of leukocytes and their accumulation in the inflamed tissue (Hollenbaugh et al., 1995; Yellin et al., 1995). In addition, endothelial cells, as APCs, produce interleukin-12 (IL-12) in response to CD40 stimulation, which may play a crucial role in strengthening the T-cell response during graft rejection (Ode-Hakim et al., 1996; D'Elios et al., 1997). This IL-12 production is strongly enhanced in the presence of IFN-γ.

7. STAT-1 decoy ODN treatment to ameliorate cardiac allograft survival

Since targeting CD154 therapeutically appears to be wrought with difficulties, CD40 may be the more suitable drug target. However, low-molecular-weight CD40 antagonists are not yet available and CD40 antibodies, although prolonging graft survival in earlier studies, may cause anti-antibody formation and anaphylaxis (Imai et al., 2007). Therefore, an alternative approach was sought addressing transcription of the CD40 gene in endothelial cells, and this was achieved by employing decoy ODNs directed against the transcription factor STAT-1.

To investigate this novel therapeutic concept in terms of acute and chronic graft rejection, STAT-1 decoy ODNs were applied in established models of allogeneic cardiac transplantation in rats and mice with or without immunosuppression and in both acute and chronic settings (Holschermann et al., 2006; Stadlbauer et al., 2008; Stojanovic et al., 2009). The exclusive uptake of the decoy ODNs by the donor coronary endothelium could be confirmed by administration of fluorescent dye-labelled nucleic acids. Given the pleiotropic influence of CD154/CD40 expression and of IFN-γ on pro-inflammatory gene expression and the putative beneficial effect of STAT-1 decoy ODNs, the up-regulation of important chemokines and adhesion molecules was examined in cardiac allografts following periprocedural STAT-1 decoy ODN administration. To this end the expression of, e.g. CD40, VCAM-1, E-selectin, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and RANTES (Holschermann et al., 2006; Stojanovic et al., 2009) was analyzed. Furthermore, histological parameters of rejection and the profile of infiltrating inflammatory cells were monitored (Holschermann et al., 2006; Stadlbauer et al., 2008; Stojanovic et al., 2009).

As verified by real time PCR analysis, a single periprocedural application of STAT-1 decoy ODNs to the coronary arteries of allogeneic donor heart transplants resulted in a marked down-regulation of CD40, VCAM-1, E-selectin, MCP-1, ICAM-1 and RANTES expression in allografts but not in isografts 24 hours post transplantation when compared to allograft and isograft control hearts (Stojanovic et al., 2009). The corresponding mutant control ODNs showed no such effect on expression of these marker genes (Holschermann et al., 2006; Stojanovic et al., 2009).

In fact, expression of these gene products was even lower than in control syngeneic transplants. Moreover, in syngenic transplants, irrespective of the chosen treatment regimen, no change in the expression of CD40, ICAM-1 or MCP-1 was noted, but an increase in E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression occurred which probably is the consequence of a moderate surgical and ischemia/reperfusion trauma (Stojanovic et al., 2009). The expression of the aforementioned pro-inflammatory gene products in the allograft is IFN-γ-dependent and controlled by subsequent activation of the transcription factor STAT-1 (De Caterina et al., 2001; Burysek et al., 2002; Wagner et al., 2002). In addition, some of these pro-inflammatory gene products, e.g. MCP-1, regulate the expression of other pro-inflammatory genes (Saiura et al., 2004), so that a blockade of IFN-γ-induced MCP-1 expression through STAT-1 decoy ODN treatment probably could affect a much larger spectrum of pro-inflammatory gene products.

Besides MCP-1, which was still up-regulated 9 days after transplantation in the allografts compared with syngeneic transplanted hearts, there were no long-term changes in gene expression found in the donor hearts, so that the possible inhibitory effect of the STAT-1 decoy ODN treatment was no longer detectable at this time (Stojanovic et al., 2009).

When analyzing the profile of infiltrating cells, it was readily apparent that the number of infiltrating monocytes/macro-phages and T-cells was significantly reduced 6 days and 9 days post transplantation as compared to the allogeneic controls (Holschermann et al., 2006; Stojanovic et al., 2009). In line with these findings, the vascular and interstitial rejection scores were significantly reduced in STAT-1 decoy ODN-treated allografts 9 days post transplantation when compared to control allografts (Stojanovic et al., 2009), and accordingly a significantly prolonged graft survival was noted after single STAT-1 decoy ODN treatment in an allogeneic rat model (Holschermann et al., 2006).

This approach of specific interference with transcriptional regulation of gene expression by using decoy ODNs also holds true when targeting other key molecules involved in CD40 expression. Thus decoy ODNs directed against the transcription factor AP-1 also inhibited endothelial ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression and reduced the number of leukocytes, namely T-cells, infiltrating the graft blood vessels, and prolonged survival in acute rejection of cardiac allografts (Holschermann et al., 2006).

Analyzing the course of chronic rejection after single application of either a STAT-1 or AP-1 decoy ODN in a rat cardiac transplantation model with immunosuppression revealed that after 100 days allografts treated with either decoy ODN showed a significantly lesser degree of disease and number of occluded vessels, pointing towards a profound inhibition of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) (Stadlbauer et al., 2008). As putative mechanism of action, it was proposed that the AP-1 decoy ODN primarily attenuated basal endothelial CD40 expression while the STAT-1 decoy ODN suppressed tumour necrosis factor-α/IFN-γ-stimulated expression of CD40 in the rat native endothelial cells (Stadlbauer et al., 2008).

In the setting of inflammatory disease in humans another or perhaps alternative mechanism of CD40 expression in endothelial cells may also be active. In human cultured endothelial cells, combined treatment with IFN-γ and TNF-α induces an IRF-1–dependent de novo expression of CD40. Although this effect is indirectly mediated by STAT-1 through induction of IRF-1 synthesis, STAT-1 directly induces CD40 expression in these cells when exposed to IFN-γ alone. Thus, it is the cytokine composition under the given pro-inflammatory conditions that determines which transcription factor is primarily responsible for the increase in endothelial CD40 expression (Wagner et al., 2002).

8. Conclusion

The primary injury inflicted on the graft before implantation actually takes place currently does not receive sufficient attention. The mechanisms of innate immunity, which are significantly contributing to primary graft damage, are also not well understood, but at least regained scientific interest.

Herein an attempt was made to highlight some consequences of the inadvertently exaggerated activation of the innate immune response in cardiac transplant rejection with special emphasis on the role of the donor endothelium and the underlying pro-inflammatory mechanisms. By blocking the expression of pro-inflammatory gene products in these cells beneficial effects on the perfusion of the graft and its histological appearance can be achieved. The tested animal experimental models did not comprise a conventional immunosuppressive treatment regimen with regard to acute rejection and despite the fully allogeneic transplantation setting. There is the distinct possibility therefore that combining conventional immunosuppressive therapy with the presented novel decoy ODN drug approach results in an adequate immunosuppression with much less toxicity and a significantly better outcome with respect to long-term transplant function and survival. We believe that the underlying mechanism of action of these nucleic acid-based drugs can spur a promising field of research with midterm clinical implementation as a procurable perspective.

Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Dr. Gerd König for providing the figures and for critically reading of the manuscript. They are supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the European Commission and the German Cardiac Society (DGK).