Blood group substances, T6 antigen and heterochromatin pattern as species markers in the nude mouse/human skin model.

Antibodies to blood group antigens and to human T6 antigen and the DNA-specific fluorochrome D287/170 were applied to human skin transplanted to nude mice and to the surrounding murine skin. It was found that the two epithelia maintained their characteristic, different blood group B antigen distributions and heterochromatin patterns. Furthermore, it was shown that human Langerhans' cells persisted in the grafted epidermis. During an observation period of until 48 weeks after transplantation only one of 32 grafts showed signs of invasion by murine epidermis.