The immunogenicity of allograft knee joint transplants.

Joint allotransplantation has been employed in the management of osteoarthritis affecting primarily one compartment of the knee. Biological resurfacing and realignment of the knee has been the goal. The immunological results of six patients posttransplant were studied with the lymphocyte microcytotoxicity test. Definite immunogenicity was demonstrated at an early stage. The sera from the recipients posttransplant was noted to abrogate the in vitro cytotoxicity suggesting the presence of blocking factors. The actual clinical significance of this phenomenon was difficult to judge insofar as no evidence of allograft joint rejection was seen.