Inhibition of allogeneic islet graft rejection by VISTA-conjugated liposome

Abstract The Ig superfamily member V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) is a negative regulator with broad-spectrum activities and has reported that blockade of VISTA or combination with other negative checkpoint receptors sufficiently break tumor tolerance. However, it remains unclear whether VISTA could induce allogeneic T-cell hyporesponsiveness and inhibit allograft rejection. Here we found VISTA treatment significantly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation and activation in allogeneic MLR assay through impairing SYK-VAV pathway. Interestingly, though neither VISTA protein nor VISTA-Fc fusion protein administration exerted satisfactory immunosuppressive effect on allograft survival due to their short half-life in circulation, this problem was solved by conjugating VISTA protein on liposome by biotin-streptavidin system, which markedly prolonged its circulating half-life to 60 h. With islet transplant model, administration of VISTA-conjugated liposome could markedly prolong allograft survival by inhibition of SYK-VAV pathway, thus maintained the normal blood glucose level of recipients during treatment period. The results indicate VISTA is a promising therapeutic target to treat allograft rejection of islet transplantation.