Identification of Hemagglutinins in Chicken Blood Sera Following Homografting

Summary A study of hemagglutinins in blood sera following skin homografting was made using 245 Single Comb White Leghorn chicks from a partially inbred population. Homografts were made between full-sibs which were either compatible or incompatible for alleles of the B, D or E blood group system. Donor-host incompatibility at the B and E blood group loci resulted in a significantly greater number of host birds which produced donor-cell hemagglutinins than when donor and host were of compatible blood type. No such increase was noted when donor and host were incompatible at the D locus. Hemagglutinins specific for the B 2 , B 7 , B 8 , E 1 and E 2 antigens were identified in host sera following skin homografting. There was some indication that specific D system antibodies are also produced following skin homografting. Data from host birds showing nonspecific hemagglutinins indicate that there is no relationship between these agglutinins and skin graft survival. Hemagglutinins resulting from skin homografts were found to form a weaker antigen-antibody complex with erythrocyte antigens than do hemagglutinins resulting from isoimmunizations with erythrocytes. This suggests the skin tissue antigens are similar to but not identical with the red cell antigens. Repeated skin homografts from the same donor appear to result in increased antibody titer as evidenced by increased mean red cell sediment pattern scores following the first two grafts. After this, the titer apparently levels off and shows a slight decline after rejection of the fourth graft.