B and T lymphocytes in man. I. Effect of infant thymic irradiation on the circulating B and T lymphocytes

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:4053576

Reddy, M M; Goh, K; Hempelmann, L H

B and T lymphocytes were studied in a group of adults whose thymic glands were irradiated in infancy for alleged thymic enlargement. Two independent methods were used to determine the B and T lymphocytes from each peripheral blood specimen: (1) the relative proportion of cells with surface immunoglobulins (B lymphocytes) and cells forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (T lymphocytes); and (2) the relative mitogenic response to phytohemagglutinin (T lymphocytes) and to pokeweed mitogen (B lymphocytes). All specimens were coded. The results obtained indicate: (1) a reduction of B and T lymphocytes; and (2) a decreased mitogenic response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen in this group of patients as compared with the controls. These observations suggest that (1) the effect of irradiation to the thymus gland on lymphocytes is long lasting and (2) both B and T lymphocytes are affected by irradiation to the thymus gland. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY; Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA); USAEC Division of Biomedical and Environmental Research, Washington, D.C.
• NSA Number: NSA-33-023476
• OSTI ID: 4053576
• Report Number(s): CONF-740930--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*LYMPHOCYTES-- DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
560151* --Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies--Radiation Effects--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
ADULTS
INFANTS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
IRRADIATION
N48510* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININ
THYMUS