Tracheal transplantation. II. Influence of genetic difference and degree of sensitization on reactions to the tracheal transplant.

To determine what influence the extent of genetic difference and degree of presensitization exercise on reactions to tracheal transplants, orthotopic tracheal transplantations were performed in 189 rats. In groups with minor genetic differences (non-RT1-different combination) and major genetic differences (RT1-different combination), the survival rates were significantly lower in comparison with syngeneic controls. In both strain combinations, presensitization prior to orthotopic tracheal transplantation led to significantly lower survival rates. The survival times of the RT1-different strain combination were obviously shorter than those of the non-RT1-different strain combination. Therefore, the degree of histo-incompatibility and presensitization, detectable only and purposively variable in investigations on inbred strains, strongly influences the reactions to a tracheal transplant. Indications of an organospecific antigenicity of the tracheal transplant have not been found. Thus, the trachea is subject to the same immunological laws for transplantation as all other tissues.