STABLE ENGRAFTMENT OF HUMAN FEMALE GENITAL MUCOUS-MEMBRANE XENOGRAFTSON SCID MICE

We developed a model in which full-thickness human genital mucous memb ranes (fallopian tubes, endometrium) were heterotopically xenografted into the skin of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. The tran splanted tissue retained its human phenotype for at least 4 weeks incl uding the glandular epithelium, the lamina propria, and main parts of the grafted vessels. By using an occlusive chamber filled with coverin g phosphate-buffered saline we created a system that protected the moi st human epithelial surface. This system will allow the study of the i nteraction of test substances, or of invasive, pathogenic microorganis ms, with epithelial cells and other cellular components of the human g enital mucosa under in vivo conditions.