Effects of immunoglobulin to prevent coronary allograft vasculopathy in heart transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Although 100,000 cardiac transplants have been performed, coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV), which is a phenomenon of chronic rejection, is still a serious problem.

Areas covered: Several adhesion molecules, cytokines, and chemokines play a critical role in the process. Recent investigations have proved some promising methodologies for preventing or treating rejection. Although immunoglobulins are known to be an effective treatment in many diseases, their effect on cardiac transplantation or CAV is to be elucidated.

Expert opinion: In this review article, we described some promising methodologies that use immunoglobulins to prevent CAV. Immunoglobulins may be used to prevent CAV.

Keywords::

• antibody
• chronic rejection
• heart transplant
• immunoglobulin
• inflammation
• vasculopathy

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank N Tamura and Y Matsuda for excellent technical assistance.

Notes

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