A RAPID AND SENSITIVE METHOD FOR DETECTING HUMAN-CELLS IN XENOGENEIC HOSTS

Xenografts, specifically transplantation of human cells into other spe cies, are a valuable tool in preclinical transplantation experiments. A central issue is accurate identification of the grafted cells, parti cularly in cases in which cellular migration has occurred. We report t hat detection of grafted human cells can be achieved by in situ hybrid ization techniques using human centromeric probes which result in unam biguous nuclear labeling. The resulting reaction can be combined with immunocytochemical or histochemical techniques for cell-type character ization.