[Induction of partial immune tolerance in a closely-related species system by a single injection of papain-extracted, donor species specific, lymphocyte membrane antigens].

This paper reports of experimental xenografting of kidneys in closely related species (fox-dog) modifying primary graft rejection by single i.v. injection of donorspecies-specific lymphocyte antigen in soluble form. Papain treatment was used to separate histocompatibility antigens from lymphocytes of donors. This antigen, in vitro, is capable of reducing cytotoxicity of xeno-antisera by adsorption of their lymphocytotoxic antibodies. A single intraoperative i.v. injection of this antigen to the transplant recipients results in the subsequent failure of humoral antibody production, thus this antigen-mediated effect is thought to be a state of B-cell tolerance. Survival times are more than doubled in comparison to untreated controls and last in average 14.6 +/- 1.74 days (n = 5). Histological studies demonstrate rather well conserved renal parenchym with sporadic infiltrations of round cells.