FUNCTIONAL-BEHAVIOR OF SKIN ALLOGRAFTS TRANSPLANTED TO RABBIT DECIDUOMATA

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 130  (MAR) , 381-390
Abstract
The behavior and fate of allogeneic skin transplanted to rabbit deciduomata was investigated and compared with orthotopic and s.c. allografts. Allografts implanted in the decidua of non-sensitized hosts were alive and showed no evidence of immunological rejection 14 days after grafting. The surrounding decidual tissue showed no infiltration by lymphocytes. Allografts in the myometrium of non-sensitized hosts demonstrated immunological rejection as early as 7 days post-grafting. Orthotopic allografts on non-sensitized hosts were rejected betwen 7 and 8 days. Allografts implanted in the decidua of presensitized hosts were alive and histologically healthy 6 days after grafting but showed minimal survival at 8 days. Since rejected grafts were not usually infiltrated with lymphocytes, humoral antibody in the absence of a cell-mediated effect may have procured the destruction of grafts. S.c. allografts in presensitized hosts were rejected 4-6 days after grafting and demonstrated a classical 2nd set type of immunological reaction. The significance of these results was discussed. The decidua, possibly because of its structure, may serve to restrict invasion of its substance by maternal immunocompetent cells, thus contributing to the immunologically privileged nature of pregnancy.