APOPTOSIS OF T LYMPHOCYTES IN LIVER AND/OR SMALL BOWEL ALLOGRAFTS DURING TOLERANCE INDUCTION1

Abstract

These results demonstrate that specific tolerance is achieved in both LTx and LSBTx after a transient rejection crisis. Apoptosis is involved in graft rejection and tolerance induction. Activation of T lymphocytes correlates with parenchymal cell apoptosis in the allograft. T-cell inactivation seems to result in apoptosis of cytotoxic T cells and tolerance, which appears to be unique to the liver allograft.