HAMSTER CHEEK POUCH SKIN HOMOGRAFTS IO7 



fully susceptible to a state of sensitization elicited in their hosts by 

 honiografts of normal skin or leucocytes. 



Various lines of evidence have been obtained which suggest that 

 the almost unique behaviour of pouch skin as an immunologically 

 privileged tissue, and possibly the behaviour of the intact pouch 

 wall as an immunologically privileged site, derive from properties 

 of its connective tissue, hi the case of pouch skin homografts this 

 appears to prevent or impede the escape of transplantation 

 antigens. 



Related phenomena may include the long survival of foetal skin 

 homografts in rabbits and hamsters. 



The principles underlying the various fmdings reported may 

 also apply as naturally occurring ancillary protective mechanisms 

 against the risks of autosensitization in respect of potentially 

 auto-antigenic body components, and maternal sensitization 

 against foreign transplantation antigens in the foetal trophoblast. 



Acknowledgements 



The invaluable technical assistance of Miss Barbara Hodge and Mr. George H. 

 Sawchuck is gratefully acknowledged. 



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