The role of augmented CD47 expression in GVHD following allo-HCT
Flamann CS, Shaikh H, Matos C, et al. Augmented CD47 Expression Impairs Alloreactive T Cell Clearance After Allo-HCT. Blood. 2025; (doi: 10.1182/blood.2023023056).
Research confirms the contribution of CD47 upregulation to the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and supports anti-CD47 treatment as a possible countermeasure. CD47 was robustly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract of patients with GVHD. High levels of CD47 on alloreactive donor T cells curb antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, a process that eliminates inflammatory cells and thus derails inflammatory processes that have a role in GVHD. In their experiments, investigators administered anti-CD47 antibodies to mice—which stimulated phagocytosis of T cells in the gastrointestinal tract, alleviated inflammation, triggered immunosuppressive responses, and enhanced survival.