In our study, CD8 − T cells from CD4
KO rejector
mice failed to display CTL or DTH activity, yet they were capable of inducing
donor - specific apoptosis of corneal endothelial cells.
However, in vitro assays using spleen cells from CD4
KO mice that had rejected BALB / c corneal allografts failed to detect CTL activity against
donor corneal epithelial or endothelial cells.