Repopulation of donor cells from the recipient following extremity graft: Studies using the LACZ transgenic rat

• Published in: Microsurgery Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 279 - 284
• Main Authors: Muramatsu, Keiichi, Kuriyama, Ryutaro, Taguchi, Toshihiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2008
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Cell Movement - genetics; Chimerism; Chromogenic Compounds; Galactosides; Hindlimb - physiopathology; Hindlimb - transplantation; Indoles; Lac Operon; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Transplantation Chimera - genetics; Transplantation, Homologous; Wound Healing - genetics
• ISSN: 0738-1085; 1098-2752
• DOI: 10.1002/micr.20486

Cell traffic from the recipient into the graft, so called graft chimerism, appears to play a major role in graft acceptance. This study was conducted using LacZ transgenic rats to define recipient cell migration into whole‐limb grafts. Eighteen hind limb transplants were performed across LacZ+ transgenic and LacZ− rats. LacZ expression was evaluated by X‐gal staining. Intense LacZ expression was observed at the interfollicular epidermis in the skin component of LacZ− limb grafts 48 weeks after transplant. Muscle fibers and cartilage showed intense LacZ expression in LacZ+ limb grafts at 48 weeks but no expression in LacZ− grafts. Polymerase chain reaction studies confirmed the presence of the LacZ gene in the bone and skin of LacZ− limb grafts and in the muscle of LacZ+ grafts. Our results demonstrate that there is a gradual increase in repopulation of recipient cells in grafted skin and bone tissues, but muscle and cartilage tissues retain donor cell origin. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.