In B6.rag−/−γc−/− recipients bearing C3H
allografts that received DSA (α-H2k IgG2a) and
perforin-deficient NK cells, CAV formation was minimally decreased, but not
statistically significant in comparison to controls. Concurrently, in
B6.rag−/−γc−/− recipients bearing C3H.lpr
(Fas deficient) allografts that received DSA and wild-type NK cells, CAV
formation again was minimally decreased, but not statistically significant in
comparison to controls. Neither deficiency in perforin nor the Fas/FasL pathway
alone altered CAV formation. However, a combined absence of these two pathways
lead to a significant reduction in CAV (p = 0.0043) to a level that was the same
as control animals that received no treatment (p = 0.662). Control groups
indicated on this figure are the same as depicted in Figure 2 and are provided for comparative purposes.
Annotations are as in Figure 2. CAV,
chronic allograft vasculopathy; DSA, donor-specific antibody.