Host defense in cryptococcosis. III. Protection of nude mice by thymus transplantation.
Congenitally athymic (nude) BALB/c mice, which are homozygous for the nu gene, are extremely susceptible to challenge with Cryptococcus neoformans. Groups of nude mice received transplants of thymus tissue obtained from either heterozygous (nu/+) mice or normal BALB/c mice not carrying the nu gene. Survival and delayed-type hypersensitivity were measured after challenge with cryptococci. Mice that received thymus tissue from a heterozygous (nu/+) or normal BALB/c mouse donor had markedly prolonged survival after challenge. In addition, mice that received thymus tissue from normal BALB/c mice developed delayed-type hypersensitivity to cryptococcal antigens following challenge. These studies indicate that transplantation of thymus tissue effectively increases host immune resistance against C. neoformans.
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000276:immunology*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal