NOD mice model human type 1 diabetes and have been used to investigate tolerance induction protocols for islet transplantation in a setting of autoimmunity. Costimulation blockade-based tolerance protocols that induce prolonged skin and permanent islet allograft survival in non-autoimmune mice have failed in NOD mice. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we generated NOD hematopoietic chimeras. We were able to show that dendritic cell maturation defects seen in NOD mice are partially corrected in mixed hematopoietic chimeras. Furthermore, skin allograft survival was dependent upon the phenotype of the bone marrow donor, demonstrating that in the NOD the resistance to tolerance induction resides in the hematopoietic compartment. In addition, we studied congenic NOD mice bearing insulin dependent diabetes (Idd) loci that reduce diabetes incidence. The incidence of diabetes is reduced in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice, and virtually absent in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice. Islet allograft survival in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice is prolonged as compared to NOD mice, and in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice islet allograft survival is similar to that achieved in C57BL/6 mice. Alloreactive CD8 T cell depletion in NOD mice treated with costimulation blockade is impaired, but is partially restored in NOD.B6 Idd3 mice, and completely restored in NOD.B6 Idd3Idd5 mice. Idd3 results from variations in Il2 gene transcription. We hypothesized insufficient levels of IL-2 in NOD mice contributes to impaired deletion of alloreactive CD8 T cells and shortened islet allograft survival. We observed using synchimeric mice that co-administration of exogenous IL-2 to NOD mice treated with costimulation blockade led to deletion of alloreactive CD8 T cells comparable to that in C57BL/6 mice and prolonged islet allograft survival. However, some Idd loci impaired the induction of transplantation tolerance. These data suggest that Idd loci can facilitate or impair induction of transplantation tolerance by costimulation blockade, and that Idd3 (IL-2) is critical component in this process.

INTRODUÇÃO: A alergia ao látex é um importante problema de saúde pública, especialmente em grupos de risco que têm contato frequente com este potente alérgeno. Este estudo estimou a prevalência e os fatores de risco para sensibilização ao látex em pacientes com mielomeningocele (MMC) submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos urológicos no HC-FMUSP. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados pacientes com MMC submetidos a pelo menos uma cirurgia urológica, entre 2009 e 2014.Todos foram entrevistados e seus prontuários revisados. Uma amostra de sangue permitiu que a IgE específica ao látex, a K82, e seus recombinantes fossem investigados pelo método lmmunoCAP100 (kUa/L -1). A associação entre a exposição e o desfecho foi avaliada por meio de regressão logística de Poisson, Quiquadrado ou o teste exato de Fischer, para variáveis categóricas. O teste t de Student foi utilizado para comparar variáveis contínuas (nível de significância de 5%). Foram calculados a razão de prevalência (RP) e o intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados Duzentos e doze pacientes (51% do sexo masculino, 20,4 ± 6,4 anos de idade), 68 foram submetidos a pelo menos um procedimento urológico e 51 aceitaram participar (87,9%). Vinte e nove pacientes foram considerados não-sensibilizados (IgE específica para o látex :: a 0,7 kUa/L) e 22 sensibilizados ao látex com IgE > 0,7 kUa/L. Quando comparados os dois grupos, o sensibilizado apresentou um número de procedimentos cirúrgicos maior (11,6 ± 5,9 vs 7,2 ± 5,6) e dentre eles 48,3% apresentaram alguma alergia anterior contra 27,6% no grupo não sensibilizado. A sensibilização ao látex foi independentemente associada com alergia a produtos de látex (p = 0,014) e com o número de cirurgias anteriores (p = 0,032). A alergia ao látex tinha uma razão de prevalência de 2,87 (95% Cl: 1,24 a 6,65) ajustado para o número de cirurgias. Para cada procedimento cirúrgico, ajustado à alergia a produtos que contém látex, aumentou o risco para sensibilização em 4% (PR = 1,04; 95% CI: 1,00-1,09). CONCLUSÕES: A história de alergia ao látex e o número de cirurgias foram fatores de risco independentes para sensibilização ao látex / BACKGROUND: Latex allergy is an important public health issue, particularly in well defined groups who have contact with this potent allergen. This study estimated the prevalence and risk factors of latex sensitization in patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) undergoing urologic surgical procedures. METHODS: Patients with MMC that underwent at least one urologic surgery between 2009 and 2014 were interviewed and their medical records reviewed. A blood sample allowed the latex-specific lgE and its recombinant allergens by lmmunoCAP100 (kUa/L -1) to be investigated. The association between exposure and outcome was assessed by Poisson regression logistics, Chi-square or Fisher\'s exact compared for categorical variables. Student\'s t test was used to compare continuous variables (level of significance at 5%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Two hundred and twelve patients were identified (51% male, 20.4 ± 6.4 years\' age), 68 had undergone urological procedures and 51 consented to participate (87.9%). Twenty-nine patients were considered non-sensitized (latex-specific lgE :: 0,7 kUa/L -:: 1) and 22 sensitized to latex with IgE > 0,7 kUa/L. The latter group had a higher number of cirurgical procedures (11.6 ± 5.9 vs 7.2 ± 5.6) and 48.3% referred some previous allergy when compared to the non-sensitized group (27.6%). Latex sensitization was independently associated with allergy to latex products (p = 0.014) and with the number of previous surgeries (p = 0.032). Latex allergy had a prevalence ratio of 2.87 (95% Cl: 1.24 to 6.65) adjusted to the to the number of surgeries. Each surgical procedure, adjusted to allergy to latex products, increased in 4% the risk for latex sensitization (PR = 1.04; 95% Cl: 1.00 to 1.09). CONCLUSIONS: The history of latex allergy and the number of surgeries were independent risk factors for sensitization to latex

Orientador: Keila Miriam Monteiro de Carvalho / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T19:40:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Millan_Tatiana_M.pdf: 2201742 bytes, checksum: 9fbc6126d8358be88ca29d8f5d863b72 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados da cirurgia monocular na correção de estrabismos horizontais de grande ângulo sob anestesia peribulbar. Métodos: Foram avaliados 92 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia monocular de estrabismo horizontal de grande ângulo (ângulo igual ou superior a 40 dioptrias prismáticas - DP) sob anestesia peribulbar no Hospital das Clínicas/UNICAMP. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo 1 ¿ esotropias e grupo 2 ¿ exotropias. A cirurgia constava de retrocesso e ressecção dos retos horizontais no olho não dominante. O seguimento pós-operatório foi de 6 meses, quando foram avaliados o desvio residual e a movimentação ocular. Foi considerado como sucesso cirúrgico um desvio residual de até 15 DP. Em casos de desvios maiores que 15 DP, um segundo procedimento era indicado. Resultados: Em todos os pacientes com desvio de até 60 DP foi alcançado sucesso cirúrgico. Nos pacientes com desvio de 65 DP, a cirurgia teve sucesso em 1 de 3 pacientes do grupo 1 e em 5 de 9 pacientes do grupo 2 . Em desvios superiores a 65 DP, todos apresentaram desvios residuais maiores que 15 DP. Destes, 13 pacientes se submeteram a um segundo procedimento e, em todos, houve sucesso cirúrgico. A Análise da Curva ROC mostrou o ponto de corte do desvio pré-operatório para obter sucesso cirúrgico, que foi de 62,5 DP. Nenhum paciente apresentou limitação importante da movimentação ocular. Não houve complicações cirúrgicas ou anestésicas. Conclusões: A cirurgia monocular pode ser uma opção para correção de estrabismos horizontais de grande ângulo, sob anestesia peribulbar, até desvios entre 60 e 65 DP. Acima de 65 DP, a cirurgia monocular não foi suficiente para se obter sucesso pós-operatório / Abstract: Purpose: Evaluate the results of monocular surgery for large-angle horizontal strabismus under peribulbar anesthesia. Methods: Ninety-two patients submitted to monocular surgery under peribulbar anesthesia for large-angle horizontal strabismus (angle of 40 prism dioptre or greater) in Clinical Hospital of State University of Campinas were evaluated. The patients were divided into group 1 ¿ esotropias and group 2 - exotropias. The surgery consisted of recession and resection procedures of the horizontal rectus. The postoperative follow-up was of 6 months, when it was evaluated the resisual deviation and the ocular movement. A residual deviation until 15 PD was considered a successful result. In cases of residual deviation over 15 PD, a second procedure was indicated. Results: In all patients until 60 PD preoperative deviations, successful surgery results were achieved. In the patients with 65 PD preoperative deviations, successful surgery results were obtained in 1 of 3 patients in group 1 and in 5 of 9 patients in group 2. All patients with deviations over 65 PD presented residual deviation over 15 PD. Thirteen patients were submitted to a second procedure. Successful results were obtained in all of them. The ROC Curve Analysis showed the cut point to get a successful surgery result: 62,5 PD. No patient presented important limitation of the ocular movement. There were no complications from surgery or anesthesia. Conclusions: The monocular surgery can be an alternative for horizontal large-angle strabismus under peribulbar anesthesia until deviations between 60 and 65 PD. In the deviations over 65 PD, the monocular surgery did not achieve successful results / Mestrado / Oftalmologia / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

Introdução: Embora o implante de marcapasso atrioventricular pela via endovenosa seja considerado o estado da arte, situações clínicas e técnicas que podem impossibilitar o implante transvenoso de cabos-eletrodos têm sido cada vez mais frequentes, tornando-se necessária a proposição de abordagens cirúrgicas alternativas. Objetivos: O presente estudo visou o implante de marcapasso atrioventricular utilizando nova técnica para implante de cabo-eletrodo atrial no átrio direito, com o objetivo de avaliar no período intra-operatório e nos 30 primeiros dias de seguimento: a segurança e a reprodutibilidade do procedimento cirúrgico; a taxa de deslocamento dos cabos-eletrodos; as condições de estimulação e sensibilidade; as alterações morfológicas na cavidade pericárdica e as alterações histopatológicas epimiocárdicas. Métodos: Sob anestesia geral, foram operados 10 porcos adultos da raça Large White. Os cabos-eletrodos foram implantados, sob visão direta, no ventrículo esquerdo e no átrio direito, pelo seio transverso, através de toracotomia anterolateral esquerda. As condições de estimulação e de sensibilidade para os cabos-eletrodos atrial e ventricular, nas configurações unipolar e bipolar, foram avaliadas no intra-operatório, pós-operatório imediato, no 7º e 30º dias de pós-operatório. Ao final do estudo, os animais foram reoperados por toracotomia longitudinal mediana para observação das aderências pericárdicas e análise das condições histopatológicas da junção entre o cabo-eletrodo e o epimiocárdico. Resultados: Todos os animais permaneceram vivos até o último dia do estudo, não tendo ocorrido complicações intra-operatórias graves. As condições de estimulação e sensibilidade para os cabos-eletrodos atriais e ventriculares, nas configurações unipolar e bipolar, mantiveram-se estáveis ao longo do estudo e apresentaram comportamento semelhante. Notou-se aumento progressivo dos limiares atriais, variando de 0,50 ± 0,38 a 1,86 ± 1,31 volts nos períodos intra-operatório e 30o pós-operatório, respectivamente. Comportamento semelhante foi observado para os limiares ventriculares, que variaram de 0,43 ± 0,23 volts, no intra-operatório, a 1,22 ± 0,49 volts, no 30o pós-operatório. As medidas de impedância atrial e ventricular apresentaram uma discreta queda ao longo do tempo, sendo que a impedância atrial variou de 486,80 ± 126,35 a 385,0 ± 80,52 Ohms no período intra-operatório e 30o pós-operatório, respectivamente. A impedância ventricular variou de 700,40 ± 203,67 Ohms, no intra-operatório, a 409,30 ± 58,96 Ohms, no 30o pós-operatório. A sensibilidade, tanto em átrio quanto em ventrículo, mostrou-se estável a partir do pós-operatório imediato. A inspeção da cavidade pericárdica mostrou aderências em todos os animais e em todas as regiões avaliadas, não sendo observados derrame ou constrição pericárdica. A análise microscópica mostrou que o contato com os cabos-eletrodos provocou espessamento do epimiocárdio no átrio direito, ventrículo esquerdo e na artéria pulmonar. A cicatriz formada na junção entre o cabo-eletrodo e o epimiocárdio atrial foi semelhante à formada na região do implante dos cabos-eletrodos ventriculares. Conclusões: O implante do cabo-eletrodo atrial direito pelo seio transverso foi seguro e reprodutível. A efetividade do procedimento foi confirmada pelas condições estáveis de estimulação e de sensibilidade durante o período de seguimento pós-operatório. A única alteração morfológica encontrada na cavidade pericárdica foi a formação de aderências. Ocorreu adequada cicatrização na junção entre o cabo eletrodo e o epimiocárdio atrial / Introduction: Although transvenous access for atrioventricular pacemaker implantation is considered the state of the art, clinical and technical situations that may impede transvenous leads implantation have become increasingly common, making it necessary the proposal of new surgical approaches. Objectives: The present study was design to perform the implant of atrioventricular pacemaker using a new technique for placement of the atrial lead in the right atrium, aiming to evaluate in the intraoperative period and during the first 30 days of follow-up: the safety and reproducibility of the surgical procedure; lead dislodgment rate; conditions of pacing and sensing; morphological changes in the pericardium, as well as, histopathological changes in the epimyocardium. Methods: A total of 10 Large White adult pigs underwent pacemaker implantation under general anesthesia. By using an anterolateral thoracotomy, leads were implanted under visual guidance in the left ventricle and in the right atrium through the transverse sinus. Pacing and sensing parameters, in unipolar and bipolar modes, were obtained during the intraoperative and immediate postoperative period and on the 7th and the 30th postoperative day. At the end of the study, all animals underwent reoperation by thoracotomy through a median longitudinal sternotomy for evaluation of pericardial adhesions and histopathological analysis of the junction between the lead and epimyocardial wall. Results: All animals were alive until the end of the study and there were no serious intraoperative complications. Pacing and sensing parameters for atrial and ventricular leads in both unipolar and bipolar modes remain stable throughout the study and showed similar performance. We observed a progressive increase in atrial thresholds, ranging from 0.50 ± 0.38 to 1.86 ± 1.31 volts, during the intraoperative and on the 30-day postoperative, respectively. Similar result was observed for ventricular thresholds, which ranged from 0.43 ± 0.23 volts, intraoperatively, to 1.22 ± 0.49 volts on the 30-day postoperative. Atrial and ventricular impedance measurements decreased slightly over time, and the atrial impedance ranged from 486.80 ± 126.35 to 385.0 ± 80.52 Ohms during the intraoperative and on the 30-day postoperative, respectively. Ventricular impedance ranged from 700.40 ± 203.67 Ohms, intraoperatively, to 409.30 ± 58.96 Ohms, on the 30-day postoperative. Both atrial and ventricular sensing measurements remain stable since the immediate postoperative period. Pericardial adhesions were found in all animals and in all studied regions. There was no noticeable pericardial effusion or myocardial constriction. Microscopic analysis showed that contact with the electrode had caused thickening of the right atrium, left ventricle and pulmonary artery. Similar scar formation was found at the interface between atrial lead and epimyocardial, such as ventricular lead and epimyocardial. Conclusion: Implantation of the right atrial lead through the transverse sinus was safe and reproducible. The effectiveness of the procedure was confirmed by stable conditions of pacing and sensing parameters throughout the postoperative follow-up. Pericardial adhesion was the only change found in the pericardial morphology. There was adequate scar formation between the interface of atrial lead and the epimyocardial

Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring is an integral part of spinal surgeries and involves the recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP). However, clinical application of IONM still requires anywhere between 200 to 2000 trials to obtain an SSEP signal, which is excessive and introduces a significant delay during surgery to detect a possible neurological damage. The aim of this study is to develop a means to obtain the SSEP using a much less, twelve number of recordings. The preliminary step involved was to distinguish the SSEP with the ongoing brain activity. We first establish that the brain activity is indeed quasi-stationary whereas an SSEP is expected to be identical every time a trial is recorded. An algorithm was developed using Chebychev time windowing for preconditioning of SSEP trials to retain the morphological characteristics of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP). This preconditioning was followed by the application of a principal component analysis (PCA)-based algorithm utilizing quasi-stationarity of EEG on 12 preconditioned trials. A unique Walsh transform operation was then used to identify the position of the SSEP event. An alarm is raised when there is a 10% time in latency deviation and/or 50% peak-to-peak amplitude deviation, as per the clinical requirements. The algorithm shows consistency in the results in monitoring SSEP in up to 6-hour surgical procedures even under this significantly reduced number of trials. In this study, the analysis was performed on the data recorded in 29 patients undergoing surgery during which the posterior tibial nerve was stimulated and SSEP response was recorded from scalp. This method is shown empirically to be more clinically viable than present day approaches. In all 29 cases, the algorithm takes 4sec to extract an SSEP signal, as compared to conventional methods, which take several minutes. The monitoring process using the algorithm was successful and proved conclusive under the clinical constraints throughout the different surgical procedures with an accuracy of 91.5%. Higher accuracy and faster execution time, observed in the present study, in determining the SSEP signals provide a much improved and effective neurophysiological monitoring process.

Background: Recent national trends and distribution of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedures for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are unknown. We examined the frequency of use of elective IPAA procedures among patients with UC and the distribution of IPAA procedures across more than 140 U.S. academic medical centers and their affiliates. Methods: Data were obtained from the University HealthSystem Consortium for patients with a primary diagnosis of UC admitted electively between 2012 and 2015. Results: The mean age of the study population (n=6,875) was 43 years and 57% were men. Among these, one-third (n=2,307) underwent an IPAA, while two-thirds (n=4,568) underwent colectomy, proctectomy, proctocolectomy or other procedures. The proportion of IPAA cases among all elective admissions was relatively stable at 33-35% during the years under study. A total of 131 hospitals, out of 279 hospitals participating in the UHC, performed IPAA. The median number of IPAA cases performed annually was 1.9 [IQR 0.8 – 4.3]. Nearly one half (48%) of these cases were performed by the top ten hospitals. Overall, only a total of 30 centers performed ³ five elective IPAA cases annually. Conclusions: Although the frequency of elective IPAA surgery in recent years has been stable, nearly one half of all IPAA cases was performed at ten hospitals. The concentration of IPAA cases at high-volume centers, and the steady number of cases performed annually, have potential implications for fellowship training, patient clinical outcomes and access to care.

Background: Treatment decisions for elderly patients with gallbladder pathology are complex. Little is known about what factors go into treatment decisions in this population. We used Medicare data to examine gender-based differences in the use of cholecystectomy vs. cholecystostomy tube placement in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare data (2009-2011) for patients >65 admitted for acute cholecystitis (by ICD-9 code) who subsequently underwent a cholecystectomy and/or cholecystostomy tube placement. Demographic information (age, race), clinical characteristics (Elixhauser index, presence of biliary pathology), and hospital outcomes (case fatality rate, length of stay, need for ICU care) were compared by gender. A multivariable model was used to examine predictors of cholecystectomy vs. cholecystostomy tube placement. Results: Of 4063 patients admitted with cholecystitis undergoing the procedures of interest just over half (58%) were women. The majority of patients (93%) underwent cholecystectomy. Compared to women, men were younger (average age 76 vs. 78, p value < 0.01) and had few comorbidities (average Elixhauser 1.2 vs. 1.4 p value < 0.01). Case fatality rate was similar between men (2.5%) and women (2.4% p value 0.48). A higher percentage of men spent time in the ICU (36%) compared to women (31% p value < 0.01). On multivariable analysis men were 30% less likely to undergo cholecystectomy (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.91). Conclusion: Elderly men are less likely than elderly women to undergo cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis despite being younger with less co morbidity and are more likely to spend time in the ICU. More research is needed to determine whether a difference in treatment is contributing to the higher rate of ICU utilization in elderly men with acute cholecystitis.

Background: Following passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, 30-day hospital readmissions have come under greater scrutiny. Excess readmissions for certain medical conditions and procedures now result in penalizations on all Medicare reimbursements. We examined the risk factors, outcomes, and costs of 30-day readmissions after colorectal surgery (CRS). Methods: The University HealthSystem Consortium database was queried for adults (≥ 18 years) who underwent colorectal resection for cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or benign tumors between January 2008 and December 2011. Our outcomes of interest were readmission within 30-days of the patient’s index discharge, hospital readmission outcomes, and total direct hospital costs. Results: A total of 70,484 patients survived the index hospitalization after CRS during the years under study, 13.7% (9,632) of which were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The strongest independent predictors of readmission were: LOS ≥4 days (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.32-1.57), stoma (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.45-1.61), and discharge to skilled nursing (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.49-1.76) or rehabilitation facility (OR 2.93; 95% CI 2.54-3.40). Of those readmitted, half occurred within 7 days of the index admission, 13% required ICU care, 6% had a reoperation, and 2% died during the readmission stay. The median combined total direct hospital cost was over twice as high ($26,917 v. $13,817) for readmitted than for nonreadmitted patients. Conclusions: Readmissions following colorectal resection occur frequently and incur a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. Future studies aimed at targeted interventions for high-risk patients may reduce readmissions and curb escalating healthcare costs. Categorization: Outcomes research; Cost analysis; Colon and Rectal Surgery

Stroke is the third most common cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. The existing treatments of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) involve pharmaceutical thrombolytic therapy and/or mechanical thrombectomy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) administration for treatment of stroke is efficacious, but has a short treatment time window and is associated with a risk of symptomatic hemorrhage. Other than tPA, the Mechanical Embolus Removal in Cerebral Ischemia (MERCI) retriever system and the Penumbra Aspiration system are both approved by the FDA for retrieval of thromboemboli in AIS patients. However, the previous clinical studies have shown that the recanalization rate of the MERCI system and the clinical outcome of the Penumbra system are not optimal. To identify the variables which could affect the performance of the thrombectomy devices, much effort has been devoted to evaluate thrombectomy devices in model systems, both in vivo and in vitro, of vascular occlusion. The goal of this study is to establish a physiologically realistic, in vitro model system for the preclinical assessment of mechanical thrombectomy devices. In this study, the model system of cerebrovascular occlusion was mainly composed of a human vascular replica, an embolus analogue (EA), and a simulated physiologic mock circulation system. The human vascular replica represents the geometry of the internal carotid artery (ICA)/middle cerebral artery (MCA) that is derived from image data in a population of patients. The features of the vasculature were characterized in terms of average curvature (AC), diameter, and length, and were used to determine the representative model. A batch manufacturing was developed to prepare the silicone replica. The EA is a much neglected component of model systems currently. To address this limitation, extensive mechanical characterization of commonly used EAs was performed. Importantly, the properties of the EAs were compared to specimens extracted from patients. In the preliminary tests of our model system, we selected a bovine EA with stiffness similar to the thrombi retrieved from the atherosclerotic plaques. This EA was used to create an occlusion in the aforesaid replica. The thrombectomy devices tested included the MERCI L5 Retriever, Penumbra system 054, Enterprise stent, and an ultrasound waveguide device. The primary efficacy endpoint was the amount of blood flow restored, and the primary safety endpoint was an analysis of clot fragments generated and their size distribution. A physiologically realistic model system of cerebrovascular occlusion was successfully built and applied for preclinical evaluation of thrombectomy devices. The recanalization rate of the thrombectomy device was related to the ability of the device to capture the EA during the removal of the device and the geometry of the cerebrovasculature. The risk of the embolic shower was influenced by the mechanical properties of the EA and the design of the thrombectomy device.

Costimulation blockade based on a donor-specific transfusion and anti-CD154 mAb is effective for establishing mixed allogeneic hematopoietic chimerism and inducing transplantation tolerance. Despite its potential, recent evidence suggests that the efficacy of costimulation blockade can be reduced by environmental perturbations such as infection or inflammation that activate toll-like receptors (TLR). TLR agonists prevent costimulation blockade-induced prolongation of solid organ allografts, but their effect on the establishment of hematopoietic chimerism has not been reported. In this dissertation, we hypothesized that TLR activation during costimulation blockade would prevent the establishment of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and shorten skin allograft survival. To test this hypothesis, costimulation blockade-treated mice were co-injected with TLR2 (Pam3Cys), TLR3 (poly I:C), or TLR4 (LPS) agonists and transplanted with allogeneic bone marrow and skin grafts. Supporting our hypothesis, we observed that TLR agonists administered at the time of costimulation blockade prevented the establishment of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and shortened skin allograft survival. To investigate underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, we first determined that LPS administration during costimulation blockade did not increase production of alloantibodies or activate natural killer cells. Similarly, costimulation blockade-treated mice depleted of CD4+ or CD8+ cells did not become chimeric when co-injected with LPS. In contrast, mice depleted of both CD4+ and CD8+cell subsets were resistant to the effects of LPS. We next observed that alloreactive T cells were activated by TLR agonists in mice treated with costimulation blockade, and this activation correlated with LPS-induced maturation of donor and host alloantigen-presenting cells. In contrast, TLR4-deficient mice treated with costimulation blockade and LPS did not upregulate costimulatory molecules on their APCs, and mixed chimerism and permanent skin allograft survival were readily achieved. We further observed that injection of recombinant IFN-β recapitulated the detrimental effects of LPS, and that LPS-injected mice deficient in the type I IFN receptor were partially protected. Importantly, alloantigen-presenting cells did not upregulate costimulatory molecules in response to LPS, and mixed chimerism and permanent skin allograft survival were readily established in type I IFN receptor and MyD88 double deficient mice treated with costimulation blockade. We conclude that the TLR4 agonist LPS prevents the establishment of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and shortens skin allograft survival in mice treated with costimulation blockade by inducing the production of type 1 IFN and MyD88-dependent factors that upregulate costimulatory molecules on APCs, leading to the generation of activated alloreactive T cells.