STABLE CHIMERISM INDUCED IN NONINBRED RABBITS BY NEONATAL INJECTION OF SPLEEN CELLS FROM ALLOTYPE-SUPPRESSED ADULT DONORS II. DISTRIBUTION OF DONOR AND RECIPIENT ALLOTYPES ON BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES, IN SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS, AND IN SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES
Long-lasting and stable lymphoid cell chimerism was noted in 3 littermates from a group of 5 rabbits given injections at birth of spleen cells of an allotype-suppressed adult rabbit. The chimeric state manifested itself by the simultaneous display of L and H chain markers directed by donor and recipient genotypes in serum immunoglobulins (Ig), on blood lymphocytes and on antibody [Ab] molecules made in response to stimulation with 3 test antigens. Although the genotypes of 2 of the chimeras were a1a1/b9b9 and the 3rd was a1a1/b6b9, phenotypically all were a1a2/b5b6b9. By all of the criteria used to analyze the distribution of allotypes, Ig with the recipients'' own allotypes predominated over that controlled by the donor''s genotype. With only minor deviations the same proportions of recipient to donor types prevailed in total serum Ig and in the Ab fractions tested.