RENAL TRANSPLANTATION IN THE INBRED RAT

Abstract

An experimental study of inbred rat kidney transplantation across a strong histocompatibility barrier has been described. Effective renal plasma flow measured by the disappearance rate of 125I-ortho-iodohippurate is normal at day 3 after allotransplantation and decreased by day 5 with little or no urine formation by the allograft on day 7. Serum β10-globuIin levels in allografted rats are higher than in control isografted animals during the 2nd and 3rd week after transplantation. Donor specific agglutinating and cytotoxic antibody activity first appears in low titer in the sera of allografted rats on day 7. Margination with adherence of large mononuclear cells to peritubular capillary endothelium occurs by day 2 after allotransplantation. These cells accumulate and multiply in perivascular areas and diffusely infiltrate the interstitium by day 5. Destruction of the graft with widespread tubular necrosis is complete by 1 week. Glomerular alterations with occlusion of glomerular capillaries are seen at day 5. By day 7, many polymorphonuclear leukocytes are seen in glomeruli. A necrotizing vasculitis is pronounced in the grafts left in place for 2 weeks or more. This model provides a very satisfactory approach to the study of renal transplantation under controlled immunogenetic conditions.