Allogeneic beta-islet cells correct diabetes and resist immune rejection

Allogeneic MHC-incompatible organ or cell grafts are usually promptly rejected by immunocompetent hosts. Here we tested allogeneic beta-islet cell graft acceptance by immune or naive C57BL/6 mice rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ). Fully MHC-mismatched insulin-producing growth-regulated beta-islet cells were transplanted under the kidney capsule or s.c. Although previously or simultaneously primed mice rejected grafts, STZ-treated diabetic mice accepted islet cell grafts, and hyperglycemia was corrected within 2-4 weeks in absence of conventional immunosuppression. Allogeneic grafts that controlled hyperglycemia expressed MHC antigens, were not rejected for >100 days, and resisted a challenge by allogeneic skin grafts or multiple injections of allogeneic cells. Importantly, the skin grafts were rejected in a primary fashion by the grafted and corrected host, indicating neither tolerization nor priming. Such strictly extralymphatic cell grafts that are immunologically largely ignored should be applicable clinically.