Low-dose heparin: a novel approach in immunosuppression

Abstract

Very low subcutaneous doses of standard and low molecular weight heparin inhibited the traffic of sensitized lymphocytes to a graft site, reduced in situ mononuclear cell infiltration and prolonged skin allograft survival in mice. Similar effects were caused by low doses of oral heparin, while higher oral doses prolonged graft survival. Our results suggest that oral heparin may have immunosuppressive properties applicable in clinical transplantation.