MHC antigen expression in human first trimester spinal cord with implications for clinical transplantation procedures

We report human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I expression in 5-17% and cla ss II in 0-9% of first trimester human spinal cord cells. After 8 days in c ulture with gamma -interferon, >87% of the spinal cord cells expressed HLA class II. However, mixed cultures of adult human peripheral lymphocytes and immature human spinal cord cells, showed no induction of lymphocyte prolif eration prior to or after gamma -interferon exposure in culture. In conclus ion, we report non-immunogenic expression of HLA antigens in the human firs t trimester spinal cord. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.