COSTIMULATION BLOCKADE PROMOTES THE APOPTOTIC DEATH OF GRAFT-INFILTRATING T CELLS AND PROLONGS SURVIVAL OF HEPATIC ALLOGRAFTS FROM FLT3L-TREATED DONORS1

Abstract

Signaling via the B7-CD28 pathway appears to play a key role in the switch from tolerance to rejection that is precipitated by markedly enhanced numbers of donor DCs. Inhibition of acute liver allograft rejection by CTLA4Ig, linked to restoration of apoptotic activity of graft-infiltrating T cells, further suggests that deletion of these cells may be critical for promotion of long-term allograft survival.