Different role of human HLA-DR and -DQ molecules in xenogeneic transplantation using transgenic mice.
BACKGROUND
The role of T lymphocytes in graft rejection in xenotransplantation is still unclear. The ability of the human HLA class II molecules DR and DQ to function as xenoantigens was investigated in a murine model of skin grafting, using HLA-DR1 and -DQ6-transgenic mice.


METHODS
Skin from HLA-DR1- or -DQ6-transgenic mice was transplanted in control littermates. Spleen cells from donors or recipients were tested in mixed lymphocyte reaction and cytotoxic assay.


RESULTS
Skin from HLA-DR1-transgenic mice was rejected and spleen cells from rejecting mice were able to proliferate to donor cells, although no rejection was observed when the skin of HLA-DQ6-transgenic mice was engrafted in control littermates. No cytotoxicity was observed in any models.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken all together these results clearly suggest a hierarchy in the xenogeneic potency of human HLA class II molecules, with the HLA-DR1 molecule functioning as a potent xenoantigen when compared with the HLA-DQ6 molecule.
Sireci
G
G
Istituto di Patologia Generale, University of Palermo, Italy.
Dieli
F
F
Di Sano
C
C
Salerno
A
A
D000818:Animals; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000276:immunology*
D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens