Methods for Reducing Duration of Parabiosis in Development of Tolerance to Skin Homografts in Mice

Using C3H and (Ax C3H)F1 mice in parabiosis, this study was undertaken to find means of reducing the duration of parabiosis necessary for development of immunologic tolerance. Parabiosis in the usual way maintained for 8–10 days did not result in development of tolerance. When talc powder was sprinkled and mechanical abrasion employed, 25% of the grafted C3H mice became tolerant to the hybrid tissue. If talc powder was applied 6–7 days prior to parabiosis and the area of contact between parabiosis increased by creation of skin flaps, 85.7% of grafted C3H mice became tolerant to (Ax C3H)F1 skin.