ROLE OF ADULT THYMUS IN IMMUNITY AND LYMPHOPOIESIS: OBSERVATIONS IN YOUNG ADULT C3H MICE
Young adult C3H mice, thymectomized or splenectomized at 3 months of age, were observed in the nonimmunized state or after repeated subcutaneous injections of human gamma -globulin in Freund's adjuvant. Thymectomy resulted in a decrease of 1/3 in the total number of circulating lymphocytes; other leukocytes and hematocrit values were not affected. Thymectomized or splenectomized animals responded to antigen administration with a rise of serum gamma -globulin level comparable to that observed in control immunized animals. Thymectomy did not affect significantiy the intensity of plasma cell reaction in the spleen, lymph nodes, and Freund's adjuvant granulomata of immunized animals. Thus, the thymus of young adult mice appears to be an importart source of circulating lymphocytes or of a factor stimulating lymphocytosis, but does not play alone an appreciable role in the formation of plasma cells in gamma - globulin synthesis. At 24 to 48 hr after local x irradiation of the thynaic region with a 3000 r tissue dose, a marked decrease was seen in the number of circulating lymphocytes associated with an almost complete disappearance of the lymphocytic population of the thymus. Subsequent irepopulation of the thymus was accompanied by a return of the lymphocyte court to preirradiation levels. The magnitude of the postirradiation lymphopenia was comparable to that achieved by thymectomy. X irradiation of the splenic and hepatic areas resulted in panleukopenia, whereas irradiation of the thymic area affected selectively the lymphocytes. Plasma cells and other pyroninophilic lymphoid cells were seen in large number in the thymus and mediastinal lymph nodes of mice irradiated over the thymic region 2 weeks following exposure. This increase in plasma cells in the irradiated field was associated with a rise of serum gamma -globulin concentration. These observations indicate an immune response to antigenic by- products of irradiation. The mean weight of the thymus and the ratio of thymic weight to total body weight of female young adult C3H mice were significantly greater than those of males, and there was a significant increase in weight of the thymus following orchidectomy but not after oophorectomy. Adrenalectomy caused a significant enlargement of the thymus in both sexes, but this was more evident in females. Castration and adrenalectomy did not appreciably affect the weight of the spleen or lymph nodes, nor did they induce changes in serum gamma - globulin levels or hematocrit values. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Francis Delafield Hospital, New York
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-017498
- OSTI ID:
- 4050823
- Journal Information:
- Archives of Pathology (U.S.) Formerly Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. Formerly AMA Arch. Pathol. Changed back to Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med., Vol. Vol: 76; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ADRENAL GLANDS
AGE
ANEMIA
ANTIBODIES
ANTIGENS
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD PLASMA
BLOOD SERUM
DIFFUSION
DISEASES
GLOBULINS
GLOBULINS-GAMMA
GONADS
HEMATOCRIT
IMMUNITY
IRRADIATION
LEUCOCYTES
LIVER
LYMPH SYSTEM
LYMPHOCYTES
MAN
MEDICINE
MICE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
SEX
SKIN
SPLEEN
STANDARDS
SURGERY
THYMUS
TISSUES
VARIATIONS
WEIGHT
X RADIATION