Strategies to develop chimerism in vascularized skin allografts across MHC barrier

In this study, we investigated the effects of 7‐day‐protocols of αβ‐T‐cell receptor monoclonal antibody (αβ‐TCRmAb), cyclosporine A (CsA), and tacrolimus (FK‐506) immunosuppressive monotherapies, and their combinations on the survival of vascularized skin allografts (VSA). Forty‐two transplantations of VSA across a strong MHC barrier were performed between ACI (RT1a) donors and Lewis (RT1l) recipients in seven groups. Isograft and allograft rejection controls received no treatment. Treatment groups received a 7‐day protocol of αβ‐TCRmAb, CsA, or FK‐506 monotherapy, or a combination of αβ‐TCRmAb/CsA and αβ‐TCRmAb/FK‐506. VSA transplants were evaluated on a daily basis. Donor‐specific chimerism was determined by flow cytometry (FC). The combined protocols of αβ‐TCRmAb/FK‐506 and αβ‐TCRmAb/CsA significantly prolonged VSA survivals compared to monotherapy groups ( P