TIME OF ACTION OF THE THYMUS IN THE IRRADIATED ADULT MOUSE

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Nature

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/2011045a0· OSTI ID:4069605

Cross, A M; Davies, A J.S.; Doe, B; Leuchars, E

Studies were made on the humoral factor in thymic function and on the time of action of the thymus in the restoration of immunological competence after irradiation. CBA male mice of an inbred strain received 850 r whole-body x irradiation that was followed in 3--4 hr by an intravenous injection of 5 x 10/ sup 6/ cells of syngenetic bone marrow at 10-12 weeks of age. Total thymectomy was performed either 8-- 10 days before or 13 days after irradiation. Thymus grafts were implanted to a subcutaneous site half-way along the right flank of the mice on the seventh day after irradiation. The results indicated that thymectomy 13 days after irradiation considerably impairs the recovery of the immunological mechanism. In mice thymectomized before irradiation and bone marrow therapy, the results suggest that a thymus graft effects some restoration of immunological competence even though present for only 12 days. The inference from both experiments is that, however the thymus facilitates restoration of immunological competence in irradiated animals, it commences to do so within at least 7--8 days of its period of maximum aplasia following either irradiation or grafting. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Royal Cancer Hospital, London
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015869
• OSTI ID: 4069605
• Journal Information: Nature, Journal Name: Nature Vol. Vol: 201
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BONE MARROW
IMMUNITY
METABOLISM
MICE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RECOVERY
SURGERY
THYMUS
TRANSPLANTS
X RADIATION