GADOLINIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED MACROPHAGE BLOCKADE PREVENTS REJECTION OFHUMAN INSULINOMA CELL XENOGRAFT IN RATS

The effect of gadolinium chloride (GdCl3)-induced Kupffer cell blockad e on the survival of discordant insulinoma cell xenografts was investi gated. Insulinoma cells isolated by means of collagenase from human in sulinoma and subsequently cultured were transplanted through the porta l vein into the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic, male, CFY in bred rats, In the control, streptozotocin-treated rats, the decrease i n blood glucose level was only transitory, in contrast with the GdCl3- pretreated diabetic rats, which remained normoglycemic during the 2-we ek observation period, Histologically, in the liver and lung of rats p retreated with GdCl3, large areas of extensively proliferating insulin oma cells were seen, whereas no insulinoma cells were seen in either t he liver or the lung of diabetic control rats, not treated with GdCl3. These studies suggest that the Kupffer cells play significant roles i n the recognition of xenoantigens and the induction of xenograft rejec tion.