A histologic study on the fate of intradermally implanted epidermal cells in guinea pigs: a new method for evaluation of skin allograft survival.

The fate of allogeneic (strains 13, 2, and JY-1) and autologous epidermal cell (EC) suspensions injected intradermally was investigated histologically in JY-1 strain guinea pigs. Epidermal cells were found to proliferate actively in the dermis and form EC nests with central keratinization. The significant reject reaction associated with necrosis of the epidermal structures was seen in due time in the animals implanted with allogeneic ECs. We attempted to assess the effect of cyclosporin A (CYA) on skin allograft survival by observing the fate of strain 13 ECs implanted intradermally into the CYA-treated JY-1. Successful prolongation of allograft survival with CYA was clearly demonstrated by this method. This is considered to be a useful experimental way for evaluation of skin allograft survival and to be suitable for routine use.