In vitro demonstration of cytotoxic antibodies and their possible role in corneal graft rejections.

Rabbit corneas were exposed to heterologous guinea pig anti-rabbit antibodies in the presence of complement and cytotoxic damage to the endothelium was demonstrated using para nitroblue tetrazolium. The possible role of such antibodies as "blocking antibodies" and as cytotoxic antibodies in the corneal graft rejection process are discussed.