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Recent evidence for immune privilege in the testis
1MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, Centre for the Study of Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh, U.K.
In the last 20 years, it has been shown that while first-set intra-testicular grafts rarely induce systemic immunity, second-set intra-testicular grafts are usually rejected, if a pre-existing immunity has been generated by first-set skin grafts. These observations suggest that while the efferent limb of the pre-sensitized immune response is operative in the testis, the immune system can not be activated against antigens present only in this site. Various theories have been advanced to explain this phenomenon. The most likely explanation at present seems to be that the testis contains specific immunosuppressive factors that inhibit lymphocyte activation in this site.
In the last 20 years, it has been shown that while first-set intra-testicular grafts rarely induce systemic immunity, second-set intra-testicular grafts are usually rejected, if a pre-existing immunity has been generated by first-set skin grafts. These observations suggest that while the efferent limb of the pre-sensitized immune response is operative in the testis, the immune system can not be activated against antigens present only in this site. Various theories have been advanced to explain this phenomenon. The most likely explanation at present seems to be that the testis contains specific immunosuppressive factors that inhibit lymphocyte activation in this site.