Phenotypic analysis of migrant, efferent lymphocytes after implantation of cold preserved, peripheral nerve allografts.

Cold-preservation of peripheral nerve allografts in vitro (3 weeks, 5 degrees C) was performed to determine its effect on local lymphocyte migration patterns in vivo. Lymphocyte migration was assessed by continuously monitoring the cell output in the regional lymph for nearly 1 month. Cold-preservation delayed or prevented the typical biphasic increase in efferent lymphocyte output observed after fresh allograft implantation. It also decreased the output of activated lymphocytes (CD 5 and MHC class II positive) compared with that seen in the fresh allograft response. These changes suggest that the host immune response to preserved nerve allografts is altered over a prolonged period in vivo (3 weeks). Cold-preservation may be a useful method of reducing allograft immunogenicity, thereby limiting systemic immunosuppression requirements for the successful clinical utilization of peripheral nerve allografts.