UIC-2017-115 – Multi-Chimeric Cell (MCC) Therapy for Transplantation and Treatment of Immune Deficiencies and Genetic Disorders

World leading transplant surgeon and researcher of transplant immunosuppression Maria Siemionow presents Multi-Chimeric Cells (MCC) to enhance organ and HSC transplantation. MCC are the product of nearly 15 years of chimeric cell research by Siemionow et al. MCC constitute fused HSC’s from multiple donors. The fusion process preserves the donor HLA antigens and triggers expression of tolerogenic cytokines. In the context of MCC transplantation, this leads to enhanced reconstitution of the bone marrow compartment and reduces the incidence of GVHD. In the context of organ and HSC transplantation, supplementation with MCC via systemic delivery provides tolerogenic and immunomodulatory effect, reducing the need for life-long immunosuppression. Currently, the central limitation to most transplant strategies is host rejection or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in the case of stem cell therapies, the risk of which depends on the suitability of the donor. Doctors and patients must then balance finding a donor and the risk of immune rejection. Shortages of HSC and organ donors compound this obstacle. Svetlana Kurilova skuril2@otm.uic.edu 312-355-1477