Systemic sensitization of corneal allograft recipients before the clinical onset of graft reaction.
We wished to know if full-thickness corneal allografts placed centrally in clear host corneas would cause systemic sensitization. Keratoplasty was done in 13 rabbits and a leucocyte migration inhibition test was done on their systemic blood five to seven days operation using donor specific corneal antigen. All but two animals had positive results (mean inhibition 27% "/- 2.2) showing that, following keratoplasty, systemic sensitization does occur. Absence of blood vessels and lymphatics thus does not constitute an absolute barrier to sensitization of the recipient.
D000818:Animals; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D006789:Host vs Graft Reaction; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous