title: Cellular and molecular composition of human skin in long-term xenografts on SCID mice.
abstract: We report on the immunophenotypical characterization of adult human skin transplanted onto severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Thirty animals were followed for up to 12 months after receiving split-thickness xenografts, of which 28 were tolerated for the whole test period. Antigen mapping revealed an almost complete preservation of human cellular and extracellular tissue components in long-term transplants including skin immune cells (Langerhans-cells, macrophages, lymphocytes) and also parts of the engrafted endothelium. Hence, xenografts on SCID mice offer a versatile experimental tool for the in vivo study of both human skin immune cell function and endothelial cell-mediated interactions in an environment completely devoid of interferences by adoptive host immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mielke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016511:Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006680:HLA Antigens