Genetic control of rat heart allograft rejection: effect of different MHC and non-MHC incompatibilities.
We investigated the genetic control of heterotopic heart allograft rejection using a family of standard inbred, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-congenic, and intra-MHC recombinant rat strains. Gene products of the various regions within the rat MHC differed markedly in their capacity to induce rejection. Isolated incompatibility at class I antigens encoded by the RTl.A and RTl.C regions failed to induce rejection within the observation period of 100 days, whereas class II antigens encoded by the RTl.B/D region provoked rapid rejection within 10 days. By comparison of the rejection times of isolated and combined incompatibilities a number of functional interactions could be demonstrated between individual MHC regions which either prolonged or shortened allograft survival. In contrast to rapid rejection of MHC-mismatched heart allografts, differences at non-MHC histocompatibility antigens were associated with graft survival beyond 100 days, although chronic rejection of variable severity was detected histologically. Disparity at non-MHC plus class I antigens, however, provoked acute heart allograft rejection.
Klempnauer
J
J
Klinik für Abdominal- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany.
Steiniger
B
B
Lück
R
R
Günther
E
E
D000818:Animals; D006084:Graft Rejection; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006648:Histocompatibility; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051381:Rats / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II