Monocytes and Macrophages in Solid Organ Transplantation

It only has been recently appreciated that cells of the innate immune system such as monocytes and macrophages are major players in acute and chronic immunity in organ transplantation. These cells contribute to antigen processing, antigen presentation, costimulation, production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and tissue repair or remodeling. The overarching objective of this thesis is to shed light on the role of monocytes and macrophages in various types of rejection in both kidney and heart transplantation. More explicitly, we aimed to provide evidence that the balance between pro- and antiinflammatory monocytes/macrophages can influence the outcome of the anti-donor immune response in terms of fibrosis and long-term graft function.

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