title: Non-MHC antigens and their relative resistance to immunosuppression after corneal transplantation.
abstract: We have used a high responder rat model to examine the role that non-MHC antigens play in corneal graft rejection. Recipients were backcross animals derived from a cross between two inbred strains, which mimicked the human outbred population in that donor and recipient could be matched or mismatched for MHC antigens, while non-MHC mismatches were variable and unknown. All mismatched grafts and 87% of matched grafts were rejected (median survival 11 and 17 days respectively). The high incidence of rejection of matched grafts indicates that several independently segregating non-MHC genes play a role in rejection. Moreover, the immune response to matched grafts appeared resistant to immunosuppression, suggesting that matching does not permit reduced dosage of immunosuppressants. A mechanism is discussed whereby matching at the class II locus may enhance presentation of mismatched histocompatibility antigens or viral peptides derived from infected graft cells, thereby prejudicing graft survival.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medical Sciences, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Easty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015234:HLA-A Antigens; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens