PHD (Prolyl-hydroxylase)-inhibitor activating Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) reduces levels of transplant arteriosclerosis in a murine aortic allograft model

Abstract

Introduction: The development of transplant arteriosclerosis, the hallmark feature of heart transplant rejection is associated with chronic immune response and influenced by the initial injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion. As previously shown, donor treatment with a PHD-inhibitor activating Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) prevents graft injury and prolongs survival in an allogenic kidney transplant model. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HIF activation with a PHD-inhibitor on transplant arteriosclerosis in an experimental aortic allograft model.