Rejection of murine heterotopic corneal transplants

A murine heterotopic corneal transplant model has been developed using s.c. abdominal pouches as recipient sites. Donor-recipient genetic disparities involving H-2 antigens alone or H-2 plus non-H-2 antigens result in high rates of rejection. In addition, donor-recipient disparities involving non-H-2 antigens alone or H-Y antigen also result in significant, although lower, rates of rejection. In comparison, pretreatment of the donor grafts by hyperbaric oxygen, removal of the epithelial layer, or soaking in anti-Ia antibody plus complement results in statistically significant reductions in the rejection rates as compared with fresh, untreated donor tissue. These observations suggest that cells bearing Ia antigens (i.e., Langerhans cells) in the epithelial layer of donor corneas play a major role in host sensitization and subsequent rejection following corneal transplantation in this model. However, other antigens may play a role when Ia antigens are depleted from donor corneas.