Experimentally induced transplantation tolerance. I. Dissociation of effector lymphocytes specific for alloantigens by neonatal tolerance induction
Waterfield, J.D.; Bick, P.H.; Möller, E.; Möller, G.
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 13(3): 211-217
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9475 PMID: 6453421 Document Number: 179009
Neonatal tolerance was induced in CBA mice to alloantigens expressed by lymphoid cells of the A/Sn strain. A total of 50% of the grafted animals maintained viable skin grafts for > 120 days and thus were considered operationally tolerant. Splenic lymphocytes from these animals were capable of in vitro activation of DNA synthesis in response to the tolerizing alloantigens. The spleen contained precursors of cytotoxic effector cells capable, upon activation, of similarly recognizing the major histocompatibility complex alloantigens used for tolerance induction. In vivo graft-vs.-host (GVH) effector function was absent, suggesting a possible dissociation of cells involved in the in vitro cell-mediated lympholysis and the in vivo GVH. Determination of potential serum-blocking factors as a possible mechanism of graft survival in these tolerant animals proved negative.