Cancer Institute A national cancer institute
designated cancer center

Sherry M. Wren

Publication Details

  • Cross-species transplantation: NK cell number and function are normal in fully xenogeneic chimeras (rat----mouse).

    French SN, Wren SM, Hronakes ML, Ildstad ST. J Pediatr Surg. 1992; 27 (3): 307-10; discussion 311

    When untreated F344 rat bone marrow is transplanted into B10 mouse recipients conditioned with total body irradiation, stable fully xenogeneic chimerism (rat----mouse) results. Chimeras are specifically tolerant to the donor strain of rat, survival is excellent (greater than 80% at 8 months), and all stem-cell-derived lineages are produced by the rat stem cell. We have previously demonstrated normal function of T-lymphocytes in these chimeras, but have not examined the immune function of natural killer (NK) cells present. Because NK cells play a critical role in immune surveillance, absence of function could result in a serious immunodeficiency state. We present data here to suggest that rat NK cells that have developed in a mouse stromal environment are normal in function as well as number. In all fully xenogeneic chimeras tested from 8 weeks to 8 months following bone marrow transplantation, NK cells were present at a normal level (10% to 16%). NK cells function in these chimeras, as tested by spontaneous lysis of YAC tumor cell targets, was normal or superior to normal F344 rat and B10 mouse NK cells.

    PubMedID: 1501002

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