Changes in Plasma Proteins of Mice During Rejection of Skin Homografts and Heterografts. ∗

Conclusions

Mice which have received homografts and heterografts respond by increasing the level of their alpha 2 globulins. A greater increase of alpha 2 globulins is observed following the application of second set grafts, and a decrease in alpha 2 globulins can be demonstrated following excision of foreign tissue grafts. Such findings suggest that the alpha 2 globulins are altered by foreign tissue antibody formation. That such antibodies are related to the specific destruction of foreign tissue implants, however, is conjectural.

Summary. Following application of a single homograft or heterograft of full thickness skin, albumin, alpha 1, beta, and gamma globulin fractions of the plasma proteins of C3H mice remain unchanged as compared to changes following autografting while the alpha 2 fraction increases significantly. Repeated grafting resulted in higher alpha 2 levels than did a single graft. A return to normal of the alpha 2 fraction could be produced by excising the homograft or heterograft before necrosis occurred.