TOLERANCE OF PORCINE RENAL-ALLOGRAFTS INDUCED BY DONOR SPLEEN-CELLS AND 7 DAYS TREATMENT WITH CYCLOSPORINE

Liver allografts in pigs and in rats elicit a substantial cellular imm une response that can resolve spontaneously with the induction of dono r-specific systemic tolerance. Self-limiting interactions between host and donor (graft)-derived leukocytes may be the basis for tolerogenes is. We have attempted to reproduce this effect of liver grafting in pi gs by peroperative infusion of donor leukocytes into kidney graft reci pients given an interrupted short course of CsA designed to promote do nor leukocyte survival and interaction with host cells. This protocol can secure long-term kidney graft survival resistant to challenge by d onor skin grafting. Donor skin is, however, rejected, but more slowly than third-party skin, indicating a degree of systemic specific unresp onsiveness in these long-term kidney graft recipients.