Abstract: Effective use of a TGF-? antagonist to treat or to prevent loss of transplant function is described herein. Use of a TGF-? antagonist is demonstrated to effectively prevent loss of organ function in a host due to chronic rejection in which TGF-?-mediated fibroproliferation is a characteristic. Expression in situ of a TGF-? antagonist in the form of a recombinant receptor, i.e., TGF-? type III receptor (TGFBIIIR) showed prevention of bronchiolitis obliterans in comparison to untreated controls in a rat lung transplant model. This provides an effective method for preventing or inhibiting chronic rejection of transplant organs such as lung, kidney, liver and heart in vertebrate hosts including human hosts.

Abstract: Effective use of a TGF-&bgr; antagonist to treat or to prevent loss of transplant function is described herein. Use of a TGF-&bgr; antagonist is demonstrated to effectively prevent loss of organ function in a host due to chronic rejection in which TGF-&bgr;-mediated fibroproliferation is a characteristic. Expression in situ of a TGF-&bgr; antagonist in the form of a recombinant receptor, i.e., TGF-&bgr; type III receptor (TGFBIIIR) showed prevention of bronchiolitis obliterans in comparison to untreated controls in a rat lung transplant model. This provides an effective method for preventing or inhibiting chronic rejection of transplant organs such as lung, kidney, liver and heart in vertebrate hosts including human hosts.