T-CELL RESPONSE FOLLOWING TRANSPLANTATION OF BONE ALLOGRAFTS

T-cell alloactivation following transplantation of large bone allograf ts was evaluated by measuring the titer of the soluble interleukin-2-r eceptor and correlating these data with the clinical outcome. Fifteen patients received cadaveric diaphyseal bone grafts. Serum samples were obtained preoperatively and at various intervals postoperatively. Inc orporation was assessed on the basis of radiological evaluation. Eleve n of the 15 patients demonstrated increased titers. In five patients, this increase was temporary and in another six patients this was perma nent. The fact that 7 of the 11 patients had a good clinical outcome w ithout complications despite T-cell alloactivation suggests that the s ignificance of this cellular-mediated immune response may be indetermi nate.