Related Experiment Videos

Depressed host response to skin implants in the anterior chamber of the eye

Immune alterations in the host following alloantigenic skin implantation into the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye were studied in inbred rats. Splenocytes from implant-bearing rats showed significantly reduced mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reaction. The reduced response was consistently evident when the implant was viable in the AC, indicating a constant presence of antigen is needed for elicitation of suppressed MLC responses. No comparable suppression was achieved when host sensitization was mediated by other routes. Low dose cyclophosphamide (CP) and enucleation (removal of implant) resulted in loss of suppression of MLC reactivity, indicating a role of suppressor cell involvement. These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that the presentation of alloantigen via AC results in profound immunological alterations of the host.

Related Concept Videos