EPITHELIAL RE-GROWTH IS ASSOCIATED WITH INHIBITION OF OBLITERATIVE AIRWAY DISEASE IN ORTHOTOPIC TRACHEAL ALLOGRAFTS IN NON-IMMUNOSUPPRESSED RATS1

Abstract

We describe, for the first time, longterm patency of fully histoincompatible orthotopic tracheal allografts in nonimmunosuppressed rats. Despite acute alloimmune injury and induction of myofibroblast proliferation, epithelial re-growth from the host limited the progression of OAD, thus emphasizing the role of epithelium in the control of airway obliteration.