Role of anti-donor antibody in the rejection of pig proislet xenografts in mice

Abstract

CBA/H mice produced serum anti-pig IgG1, IgG(2a), and IgG(2b) following xenotransplantation of pig proislets beneath the kidney capsule; anti-pig IgM was present as pre-existing antibody in the serum of normal CBA/H mice and was also produced in response to pig proislet xenografts. Serum anti-pig IgG3 was not detected post-xenotransplantation. Rejection of pig proislet xenografts and the production of anti-pig IgG1, IgG(2a), and IgG(2b) isotypes were CD4 T cell-dependent. The capacity for adoptively transferred hyperimmune CBA/H mouse anti-pig PBL serum to induce the rejection of intact pig proislet xenografts in CD4 T cell-depleted mice was dose dependent and correlated with markedly elevat..