DETERMINATION OF AN IMPROVED SIROLIMUS (RAPAMYCIN)-BASED REGIMEN FOR INDUCTION OF ALLOGRAFT TOLERANCE IN MICE TREATED WITH ANTILYMPHOCYTE SERUM AND DONOR-SPECIFIC BONE MARROW1

Abstract

A single dose of sirolimus (18-24 mg/kg) administered on day 7, within the context of an ALS/BM immunosuppressive regimen, reliably induces permanent skin allograft acceptance in this model. In vitro measures of immunocompetence demonstrated an early nonspecific suppression of the recipients immune status and later recovery of third-party immunoreactivity. In vivo testing indicates an operationally tolerant state that is donor-specific 90 days after treatment.