Characterization of mixed syngeneic-allogeneic and syngeneic-xenogeneic islet-graft rejections in mice. Evidence of functional impairment of the remaining syngeneic islets in xenograft rejections.

Allogeneic mouse islets or xenogeneic rat islets, or fetal porcine islets were implanted under the renal capsule of C57BL/6 mice either alone or carefully mixed with syngeneic islets. With this experimental model the syngeneic islets, although not rejected themselves, are exposed to cytokines and inflammatory mediators released during either allograft or xenograft rejection. No differences in insulin content could be observed between mixed islet grafts and pure syngeneic islet grafts 6 wk after transplantation. Neither was there any morphological evidence of a non-specific destruction of syngeneic islets. These findings suggest that the mechanisms of both allograft and xenograft rejections are highly specific. The hormone release from the mixed syngeneic-allogeneic grafts was similar to that from pure syngeneic islet grafts. In contrast, a pronounced impairment of both the first and second phases of insulin release was observed 2 wk after implantation in mixed syngeneic-xenogeneic islet grafts. When perfusing the mixed islet graft after completed rejection of the concordant xenogeneic rat islets (6 wk after implantation), the insulin release from the remaining syngeneic mouse islets was identical to that of control grafts. However, syngeneic mouse islets exposed to the rejection mechanism of the discordant xenogenic pig islet-like cell clusters did not attain a complete functional recovery.