Influence of Langerhans cells on the survival of H-Y incompatible skin grafts in rats.

Evidence is presented that Langerhans cells (LCs) play an important role in the rejection of H-Y incompatible skin grafts in BN rats. Not only are small male trunk skin isografts much more likely to be rejected by BN females than similarly sized male foot pad, tail, and ear skin transplants, all of which possess fewer LCs than trunk skin, but the survival of male trunk skin grafts can be prolonged by replacing their LC population with allogeneic female cells.