Tracheal transplantation. I. The immunogenic effect of rat tracheal transplants

To clarify contradictory information in the literature about the immunogenic effect of the trachea, tracheal transplantations were performed orthotopically and heterotopically in two combinations of inbred rat strains. In all in vivo experiments it was possible to demonstrate a considerable systemic immunisation by transplantation antigens. There were no indications of even slight organospecific immunogenicity of the trachea. Thus, the trachea is subject to the same immunological laws for transplantation as all other tissues.