Heterologous antigenicity induced in human aortic homografts during preservation

A series of rabbit experiments has been carried out to investigate the potential antigenicity of the heat-treated foetal calf serum which is commonly used to enhance viability of preserved aortic homograft valves. In all presensitised animals, the calf serum content of the nutrient medium which infiltrated the aortic wall during preservation provoked a heavy second-set reaction. It is concluded that heat-treated foetal calf serum is a potent heterologous antigen and should not be used for preserving human tissue selected for transplantation.