title: Modulation of age-related development of contact sensitivity in mice by adult thymectomy.
abstract: The effect of adult thymectomy on antibody production and on the development of contact sensitivity to picryl chloride in mice of different ages was studied. An age-dependent decline in the ability to develop contact sensitivity was found to be counteracted by thymectomy. In contrast, antibody production was regularly decreased by thymectomy in mice of all ages. A hypothesis is put forward in which the development of contact sensitivity may be regulated by long-lived thymus-dependent suppressor cells which do not affect antibody formation.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D010853:Picryl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D010853:Picryl Chloride