Distinct histologic patterns of acute, prolonged, and chronic rejection in vascularized rat pancreas allografts

In a model of pancreas whole organ transplantation in streptozotocin diabetic rats distinct histologic patterns of acute, prolonged and chronic rejection were defined by light microscopy. Allotransplantation between major histocompatibility complex (MHC) congenic and recombinant rat strains allowed an immunogenetic analysis of the effect of defined histocompatibility antigens on graft morphology. The impact of surgical techniques with preserved and suppressed exocrine secretion on graft histology was sequentially assessed in pancreas isograft recipients. MHC incompatibility was associated with acute rejection, non-MHC disparity with prolonged rejection and RT1.C mismatch with chronic rejection.