Fetal allogeneic dopaminergic cell suspension grafts in the ventricular system of the rat: characterization of transplant morphology and graft-host interactions

Experimental transplantation trials of fetal cells in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease or multiple sclerosis still require allogeneic graft material and raise questions of graft rejection and immunosuppression. Alternatively to the striatum, the lateral ventricles have been discussed as grafting site in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease although little is known of the specific immunology of the ventricular system. To address this question, 28 adult female LEW1.W rats received intraventricular allogeneic dopaminergic cell suspension grafts from E14 DA rat fetuses. Twelve animals with syngeneic grafts served as control. Immunohistochemical examination was performed with staining for MHC expression, microglia-macrophages, various lymphocyte subsets, dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes at 4 days, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks after transplantation. In all animals, intraventricular transplants were found, which showed maturation and integration in the host parenchyma at the later time points. Animals with allogeneic grafts developed a vivid immune response with strong MHC class I expression and dense lymphocyte infiltrates. Surprisingly, this immune response subsided at 12 weeks and healthy grafts remained. These results indicate (1) that, in contrast to intraparenchymal grafts, a strong immune response to allogeneic fetal cell suspension grafts can be elicited by intraventricular grafting, (2) that a peculiar immunological role of the ventricular system has to be considered in further studies, and (3) that a vivid immune response to allografts in the brain may subside without graft destruction.