Rejection of MHC incompatible, Langerhans cell-free epidermal keratinocyte allografts in the rat.

: Cultured murine epidermal keratinocyte allografts, depleted of MHC class II positive Langerhans cells, are not rejected by normal adult mice. This study investigates the survival of rat keratinocyte allografts depleted of MHC class II positive cells. Our results show that rat keratinocyte allografts are rejected rapidly in the absence of donor-derived, Langerhans cells. These allografts are, however, induced to express class II molecules in vivo, independently of graft rejection.