Graft-versus-host reaction induced by spleen grafting in inbred strains of rats. Influence of portal venous drainage.

Acute graft-versus-host (GvH) reaction was induced by spleen grafting in inbred rats. A comparison of the influence of portal or caval drainage of the spleen graft on the survival time was made. This comparison revealed a prolongation of survival time in case of a portal drainage when the graft was an auxiliary half-spleen graft. This result suggests that the liver may have, in some conditions, protective capacities against an acute GvH reaction.