Influence of selective splenectomy on survival of cardiac and skin allografts in enhanced rats

• Published in: Transplantation Vol. 30; no. 1; p. 59
• Main Authors: Birinyi, Jr, L K, Baldwin, 3rd, W M, Tilney, N L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.1980
• Subjects: Animals; Graft Enhancement, Immunologic; Graft Survival; Heart Transplantation; Lymphocytes - immunology; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred BN; Rats, Inbred Lew; Skin Transplantation; Spleen - immunology; Splenectomy; Transplantation, Homologous
• DOI: 10.1097/00007890-198007000-00013
• ISSN: 0041-1337

Pretreatment of LEW rats with donor cells and antidonor antiserum 11 and 12 days before transplantation, respectively, extends survival of (LEW x FN)F1 heart grafts from 1 to about 4 weeks. Previous investigations have shown that the spleen responds dynamically to the immunization regimen and to the graft itself by transient trapping of antigen-sensitive cells and massive proliferation of antibody-producing cells. In the present study we have noted that splenectomy performed before recipient pretreatment decreases graft survival. When splenectomy is performed during the periods in which the spleen is responding substantially after immunization and after transplantation, graft survival is increased remarkably (MST greater than 10 weeks, with the majority of grafts surviving indefinitely). Removal of antigen-sensitive cells trapped transiently in the spleen does not fully explain this striking effect, as an 11-day interval between pretreatment and transplantation is required for optimal graft survival in splenectomized hosts. Additionally, splenectomy is ineffective in increasing survival of skin grafts in enhanced animals, reconfirming the primary importance of the regional draining lymph nodes in rejection of these grafts.