Major histocompatibility complex class I deficiency prolongs islet allograft survival.

Osorio, R W; Ascher, N L; Jaenisch, R; Freise, C E; Roberts, J P; Stock, P G · Diabetes · 1993

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Because of islet allograft rejection, nonimmunosuppressed pancreatic islet allotransplantation has been unsuccessful for the treatment of type I diabetes. The role of major histocompatibility complex class I antigen expression on islet allograft survival was evaluated with the use of mice homozygous for a beta 2-microglobulin gene disruption. These mice express little if any functional major histocompatibility complex class I antigen. When these major histocompatibility complex class I-deficient islets were used as donors in an allogenic murine transplantation model, islet allograft survival was markedly prolonged. These results demonstrate a major importance for the alloresponse directed against major histocompatibility complex class I antigen.

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