Development of neuronal ganglion xenografts from gastropoda in rat brain

Survival of neuronal ganglia from newborn snail (Helix aspera L.) in the brain of adult rats was studied. Snail ganglion survived in the brain of warm-blooded animals for 6 months without inducing immune conflict. At early stages (5 days) after transplantation, xenografts increased in size and were several times larger than native ganglia from 10-day-old snails, thereafter (on days 28 and 180) they became smaller still surpassing the sizes of ganglia from snail of the corresponding age. Rapid enlargement of the xenograft was due to cell reactive processes in the ganglion. Deep penetration of large vessels from xenografts to rat brain was observed.