Carbon monoxide improves outcomes in tissue and organ transplants and suppresses apoptosis

Abstract

The present invention features methods for transplanting organs, tissues and individual cells. Also featured are methods for maintaining cells in vitro and for enhancing survival and/or function of cells following transplantation. The methods include the administration of carbon monoxide in an amount sufficient to enhance cell survival and/or function.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
     
     
         48 . A method of transplanting an organ, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing an organ from a donor;    (b) transplanting the organ into a recipient; and    (c) before, during, or after (b), administering to the recipient a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide in an amount sufficient to enhance survival of the transplanted organ in the recipient.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before (b).  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient during (b).  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient after (b).  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before and during (b).  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before and after (b).  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before, during, and after (b).  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient within 1 to 20 days after (b).  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient at least once within the period beginning 21 days after (b).  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient multiple times or continuously during the period beginning 21 days after (b).  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient upon determination that the transplanted organ is undergoing or about to undergo chronic rejection.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient upon determination that the transplanted organ is undergoing or about to undergo acute rejection.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising the step of, prior to obtaining the organ from the donor, administering to the donor a second pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  60 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition is administered to a live donor.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition is administered to a brain-dead donor.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising the step of, prior to (b), administering to the organ a second pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition is administered to the organ in situ in the donor.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the second pharmaceutical composition is administered to the organ ex vivo.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a liver.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a kidney.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a heart.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a pancreas.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a lung.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is a small intestine.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the organ is skin.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the donor is of a species different from that of the recipient.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the donor and the recipient are of the same species.  
     
     
         75 - 149 . (canceled)