KINETICS OF INTRAGRAFT CYTOKINE EXPRESSION, CELLULAR INFILTRATION, AND CELL DEATH IN REJECTION OF RENAL ALLOGRAFTS COMPARED WITH ACCEPTANCE OF LIVER ALLOGRAFTS IN A RAT MODEL

Abstract

Apoptosis of infiltrating leukocytes in liver allografts may represent an important process in the induction of spontaneous liver transplant tolerance and may underlie the abortive nature of the effector response observed within tolerated livers. In contrast, activated cells in renal allografts in the same strain combination survive and proliferate, express high levels of cytokines, and are efficient in bringing about graft destruction.