ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

A Non-Haematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents the Transplanted Islet Graft Damage

M. Watanabe,1 T. Lundgren,1 Y. Saito,1 A. Cerami,2 M. Brines,2 C.-G. östenson,3 M. Kumagai-Braesch.1

1Division of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
2Araim Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY
3Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Meeting: 2015 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 366

Keywords: Inflammation, Islets

Session Information

Session Name: Concurrent Session: Islet Transplantation: Basic

Session Type: Concurrent Session

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Session Time: 2:15pm-3:45pm

 Presentation Time: 2:51pm-3:03pm

Location: Room 121-C

Purpose. Pancreatic islet transplantation (PITx) is an attractive treatment option for type 1 diabetes patients. While pancreatic islets can successfully engraft after PITx a large numbers of islets are required, mainly because non-specific inflammatory reactions injure islet grafts and macrophage activation is deeply associated with these reactions. Erythropoietin exerts anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and cyto-protective effects in addition to its hematopoietic property.

Methods. A non-haematopoietic erythropoietin analogue, ARA290 was used in this study. The effects of ARA290 on isolated pancreatic islets of C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice and on murine macrophage were investigated in an in vitro culture model. As a marginal PITx model, 175 islets were transplanted into the liver of STZ-induced diabetic mice (H-2b) via the portal vein. Recipients were given ARA 290 (120 ug/kg) intraperitoneally just before and at 0, 6 and 24 hours after PITx. Liver samples were obtained from islet-recipients at 12 hours after PITx, and expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed by real-time RT-PCR.

Results. ARA290 protected isolated islets from cytokine induced apoptosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α) from activated macrophages was significantly inhibited by addition of ARA290. After the marginal PITx, ARA290 treatment significantly improved the normoglycemic rate (71.4%) when compared to those of vehicle treated control animals (16.7%; P<0.05). Blood glucose levels showed a normal pattern in ARA290-treated animals during glucose tolerance test. Upregulation of MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression levels within the liver were significantly suppressed by ARA290 treatment.

Conclusions. ARA 290 ameliorated inflammatory response after PITx through the inhibitory effects on macrophages, and results in engraftment of transplanted islets even with fewer islet grafts.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Watanabe M, Lundgren T, Saito Y, Cerami A, Brines M, östenson C-G, Kumagai-Braesch M. A Non-Haematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents the Transplanted Islet Graft Damage [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2015; 15 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/a-non-haematopoietic-erythropoietin-analogue-ara-290-inhibits-macrophage-activation-and-prevents-the-transplanted-islet-graft-damage/. Accessed May 9, 2025.

« Back to 2015 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences