Induction of transplantation tolerance in mice across major histocompatibility barrier by using allogeneic thymus transplantation and total lymphoid irradiation.
The use of allogeneic thymus transplantation as a means of inducing tolerance across MHC barriers was investigated in thymectomized, total lymphoid irradiated BALB/c mice. In 90% of the animals long term outgrowth of histologically normal C57BL thymus grafts was observed. None of the latter animals was chimeric. All thymus graft-bearing mice showed specific nonresponsiveness for C57BL MHC Ag in mixed lymphocyte reaction and cell-mediated lympholysis. Spleen cells of the C57BL thymus-bearing mice were unable to induce lethal graft-vs-host disease in neonatal (BALB/c X C57BL) F1 mice but provoked a vigorous graft-vs-host disease reaction in (BALB/c x C3H) F1 neonates. Tolerant mice permanently accepted C57BL heart and pancreas grafts, but all rejected C3H grafts. Induction of tolerance of BALB/c pre-T cells through allogeneic thymus graft and/or specific suppressor cells seems to be involved. The present model offers new opportunities to study thymocyte maturation in a fully allogeneic environment and may yield applications for clinical organ transplantation.
Waer
M
M
Rega Institute for Medical Research, Leuven, Belgium.
Palathumpat
V
V
Sobis
H
H
Vandeputte
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000528:radiation effects; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000528:radiation effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D016035:Pancreas Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte