The circulating life span, immunocompetence and 3H-uridine uptake of small lymphocytes from thymus-grafted, neonatally thymectomized rats.
By 7 weeks post-grafting, the number of small lymphocytes in the thoracic duct lymph (TDL) and blood of the thymus-grafted neonatally thymectomized adult rats had increased to 60% of the number of cells in sham controls, or 2-1/2 times thymectomized control values. This increasing consisted almost exclusively of long-lived, recirculating small lymphocytes and corresponded to a 60% recovery of cellular immunocompetence as measured by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Associated with the return of cellular immunocompetence was an increased incorporation of 3H-uridine by the small lymphocytes. Cells from thymectomized animals grafted with lymph node fragments demonstrated no significant increase in lymphocyte numbers nor was there a return of immunocompetence as compared to thymectomized controls.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002470:Cell Survival; D008196:Lymph / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013897:Thoracic Duct; D013934:Thymectomy; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014316:Tritium; D014529:Uridine / Q000378:metabolism*
D014316:Tritium; D012313:RNA; D013936:Thymidine; D014529:Uridine