USE OF TGF-ß ANTAGONISTS TO LIMIT NEPHROTOXICITY OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENTS

摘要

The disclosure relates to methods of ameliorating nephrotoxic side effects of immunosuppressive agents whose immunosuppressive activity is mediated via upregulation of TGF-ß such as, for example, cyclosporine (CsA). The disclosure provides treatment modalities for use in patients that require immunosuppression, e.g., patients at risk of transplant rejection or having an autoimmune disease. In the methods of the invention, a TGF-ß antagonist, e.g., an anti-TGF-ß antibody, is administered to a patient treated with an immunosuppressive agent. Such a TGF-ß antagonist is administered in a therapeutically effective amount sufficient to alleviate the nephrotoxic effects of the immunosuppressive agent without substantially interfering with immunosuppressive activity of the agent.