CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subset distribution in the blood of small-bowel-grafted rats: modification during graft-versus-host disease.
We studied the modifications of blood T cell distribution following small-bowel allografting in rats under different experimental conditions. Group 1: ACI (RT1a) rats were used as small-bowel donors for ACI x Wistar (RT1y) F1 hybrid rats (WAF1) in which graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed. Group 2: WAF1 rats were used as small-bowel donors to ACI rats which developed rejection. Group 3: WAF1 rats received small bowel from ACI rats hyperimmunized for 10 days (by grafting them with WAF1 skin) and GVHD developed. Group 4: Wistar rats received small bowel from ACI rats hyperimmunized for 10 days (by Wistar skin) and bidirectional GVHD and rejection were assured. A second set of the same groups which were continuously administered with cyclosporine (15 mg/kg per day s.c. for 15 consecutive days) was also studied. Recipient peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained at 7 and 15 days following small-bowel transplantation, were stained with monoclonal antibodies anti-rat CD4 and CD8 and then analyzed in an automated flow cytometer. A significant major reduction of CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratios was shown in rats that developed simultaneous GVHD and rejection with respect to ungrafted rats.
Department of Surgery Pizzamiglio II, Ospedale Niguarda, Milan, Italy.
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Marni
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Forti
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Fulgenzi
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Corsi
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Cazzulani
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Ferrero
D000818:Animals; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011912:Rats, Inbred ACI; D017208:Rats, Wistar