Abstract 18629: Modulating Heparan Sulfation and Disaccharide Content Significantly Blocks Early Rejection in Mouse Renal Transplants

Introduction: The endothelial glycocalyx alters immune reactions and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the glycocalyx bind chemokines that attract immune cell invasion. Prior work has implicated heparan sulfation and disaccharide content in acute rejection after transplantation. Myxomavirus encodes a broad-spectrum chemokine modulating protein, M-T7 that reduces aortic allograft vasculopathy and renal allograft rejection in rodent models. We investigated the effects of conditional endothelial deficiency of the primary heparin sulfate modifying enzyme (N-deacetylase-N-sulfotransferase-1, Ndst1-/-) on renal allograft transplants. Methods: Donor kidneys from C57Bl/6J mice (WT, Ndst1+/+) or Ndst1-/- mice were transplanted into Balb/C mice with normal Ndst1 expression. Rejection was assessed in recipients of WT and Ndst1-/- donor allografts, and compared to M-T7 treatment in WT kidney transplants at 10-day follow up. Results: Recipients of Ndst1-/- donor organs treated with saline (N=9 mice; P<0.012) and WT donor o...