TRANSPLANTATION OF SKIN FROM HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 - TRANSGENIC MICE TO NORMAL CONGENIC MICE RESULTS IN GRAFT-REJECTION

Skin from mice transgenic (Tg) for part of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome was transplanted onto normal mice of the s ame strain. All Tg grafts were rejected within 29 days. In contrast, s kin from normal mice that was transplanted to HIV-1-Tg recipients rema ined viable for >67 days. Histologic examination of Tg grafts on norma l mice showed evidence of monocytic infiltrates. Monocytic infiltrates were not observed, however, when either normal or Tg skin was transpl anted onto Tg mice. Immunohistologic straining verified the presence o f gp120 protein expression in the Tg-transplanted skin but not in adja cent normal skin. It is concluded that the Tg mice are immunologically tolerant to the HIV-1 gene products they express.