The Use of Myeloid Progenitors to Improve Immune Competence after HSC Transplantation for Tolerance Induction

Project Description Narrative:

This project aims to reduce the morbidity associated with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This is often referred to as bone marrow transplantation, even though the cell source for clinical use typically is no longer bone marrow. The long-term goal of this research is to expand the clinical use of HCT for malignant and nonmalignant disease.

Reduction in the need for immunosuppression without fear of rejection is important for all transplant patients, and especially so for patients receiving organs whose failure results in immediate death. Heart transplantation remains the only available long-term therapeutic option for end-stage health failure, and patients with cardiac failure would greatly benefit from a reduction in immunosuppression. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, almost 1,300 people have received heart transplantation in Wisconsin, and the number will continue to increase in the ensuing decades.

Susceptibility to infections remains a significant problem in patients that receive HCT, especially in the immediate post-transplant period. This project targets ways to improve immune competence in recipients of allogeneic (unmatched) HCT. Cellular adjuvants that reduce the rate of fungal and bacterial infections would be of great benefit.