Abstract: To investigate factors affecting calcium content in aortic valved homograft(AVH) tissues in rats. Methods90 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups: two allogene groups and one isogenenic group. Allogene group: SD→Wistar, one group received AVH of cryopreservation, the other group received AVH preconditioned with dendritic cell monoclonal antibodies（DCmAb ）diluted by 1:5 and cryopreserved, and then was treated with DcmAb. Isogenenic group: Wistar→Wistar. AVH with myocardial cuff was heterotopically allografted onto the abdominal aorta of rats. Rats were postoperatively sacrificed in batches at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. Blood samples were obtained for detection of the TCRα, β and CD28 expressions, and the AVH specimens were obtained for detection of the changes of endotheliocyte and smooth muscle cells with a light and electron microscope, and the CD54 expression by immunohistochemistry. Also, the calcium contents of the AVH tissues after transplantation were determined. Results① Compared with the isogenic group, the expression of TCR-α, β and CD28 in the allogene group was significantly increased at each time point(P<0.01). Compared with the cryopreservation group, the expression of TCR-α, β and CD28 in the DCmAb treatment group was significantly decreased(P<0.01). ② The calcium contents of AVH tissues in the allogene group gradually increased at 4 weeks, which was significantly different from that in the isogenenic group over 5 different periods (P>0.05). In the cryopreservation group, the calcium contents of the AVH tissues were 2856±79 and 3587±168 at 4 and 8 weeks post-operatively; were 2176±210, 3089±176 in the DCmAb treatment group; and were 860±60, 870±50 in the isogenic group. Conclusion Immunosuppressive treatment has obviously effect in lightening the immune rejection response and delaying the AVH calcification course.

Key words: Transplatation, isogeneic, Aorta calcification, Antibodies monoclonal, Dendritic cell, Rat, inbred strains