METHOD OF PREVENTING TRANSPLANT REJECTIONS

摘要

A method for reducing the rejection of allografts comprising donor tissue containing antigen presenting cells (APC's), which method comprises: a) contacting the donor tissue with a photosensitizing agent to obtain a modified donor tissue; b) exposing the modified donor tissue to light having a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing agent for a time sufficient to deplete the APC's in the donor tissue; and c) transplanting the APC-depleted donor tissue into the tissue of a recipient. By subjecting donor tissue to photodynamic therapy, the mean survival time of grafts, particularly skin allografts, was significantly lengthened. The photosensitizer may also be part of a conjugate containing a target-specific moiety.