Role of PECAM-1 in acute rejection of fully major histocompatibility complex class II-mismatched cardiac allografts in mice.

The aim of-this study was to determine the role of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) in acute rejection of vascularized whole organ allografts in vivo. Hearts were transplanted between BALB/c, PECAM-1(-/-), or C57BL/6 wild-type mice. Grafts were harvested on the day of rejection or after 120 days and were analyzed histologically. BALB/c allografts survived significantly longer in PECAM-1(-/-) recipients compared to wild-type controls (8.3 +/- 0.4vs. 6.4 +/- 0.8 days; P < 0.05). Survival of PECAM-1(-/-) allografts in BALB/c recipients did not differ from that of wild-type-derived transplants (12.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 9.3 +/- 0.7; P > 0.05). In all allografts, histology showed massive monomorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, indicating parenchymal rejection. Immunohistochemistry confirmed in all transplants a preserved donor endothelial phenotype. Our data indicate a subtle role of nonendothelial PECAM-1 in acute allograft rejection. Although deletion of PECAM-1 could not prevent rejection, it should be further evaluated as a therapeutic target. in more complex settings with concomitant immunosuppression or during chronic rejection.