Vascularized osteochondral allografts in an immunosuppressed rat model: graft modulation and host immune tolerance.
The effects of 4 weeks of cyclosporin A (7 mg/kg per day) (CyA) on the survival of vascularized osteochondral grafts between rat strains [DA (donor) and Lewis (recipient)] and the presence and significance of host immune tolerance and graft antigen modulation after cessation of immunosuppression have been examined. Isografts (n = 12) survived without apparent abnormality for 8 weeks but showed signs of wasting after longer periods; unprotected allografts (n = 5) were rejected within 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of CyA, allografts remained healthy for at least 12 weeks but then deteriorated (n = 40). Antigen modulation was examined by graft removal at various intervals after cessation of CyA and reimplantation into a naive recipient (n = 14). All were rejected rapidly. Host tolerance was examined by graft removal at various periods after cessation of CyA and reimplantation of a fresh allograft (n = 15). Some of the second grafts survived at least 4 weeks without immunosuppression. The findings indicate development of incomplete host tolerance but no antigenic modulation of the graft.
Sakai
K
K
Microsurgery Research Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Hickey
M J
MJ
Hurley
J V
JV
Kuwata
N
N
d'Apice
A J
AJ
O'Brien
B M
BM
Arnold
L I
LI
Abbey
P A
PA
D000818:Animals; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013997:Time Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic
D016572:Cyclosporine