Suppression of graft rejection and the induction of graft-v-host disease by exposure to UV radiation

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether alloantigenic sensitization of a UV-irradiated mouse can also suppress graft rejection. The data presented here demonstrate that foreign allograft survival can be significantly prolonged when the recipients are first exposed to UV and then sensitized with alloantigen. The suppression is specific for the antigen used to sensitize the UV-irradiated animal. Furthermore, when spleen cells from UV-irradiated, alloantigen-sensitized mice were used to reconstitute lethally x-irradiated allogeneic recipients, there was a significant suppression of the induction of graft-v-host disease (GVHD).