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A role for CD95 ligand in preventing graft rejection
D Bellgrau1, D Gold, H Selawry
1Department of Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver 80262, USA.
Nature
|October 19, 1995
Summary
Testis immune privilege relies on CD95 ligand expressed by Sertoli cells. This molecule induces apoptosis in recipient T cells, preventing graft rejection and offering potential for future tissue transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- The testis is a unique immune-privileged site, capable of accepting allogeneic and xenogeneic transplants.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying this immune privilege are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular basis of testis immune privilege.
- To determine the role of CD95 ligand in maintaining immune privilege in the testis.
Main Methods:
- Transplantation of mouse testis grafts into allogeneic recipients.
- Analysis of CD95 ligand expression in testicular Sertoli cells.
- Comparison of graft survival in wild-type and CD95 ligand-deficient (gld) mice.
Main Results:
- Testis grafts from mice expressing functional CD95 ligand survived indefinitely in allogeneic recipients.
- Grafts from mutant gld mice (non-functional CD95 ligand) were rejected.
- CD95 ligand mRNA is constitutively expressed by Sertoli cells, which induced apoptosis in recipient T cells.
Conclusions:
- CD95 ligand expression by Sertoli cells is crucial for testis immune privilege.
- This mechanism involves inducing apoptosis in activated recipient T cells.
- CD95 ligand presents a potential strategy for creating immune-privileged tissues for transplantation.