title: Selective effect on T and B cell subpopulations in rat lymphoid organs after urethan treatment.
abstract: In vitro phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) responsiveness of thymus and bone marrow cells, and E, EA, and EAC rosette-forming cells (E, EA, EAC) of these organs and spleen were studied in Fisher rats at various time intervals following a carcinogenic treatment with urethan (UR). Immediately after treatment, organ cellularities were drastically reduced with a progressive recovery as time passed. 1 day after treatment, the response of thymocytes to PHA showed a fourfold increase while organ cellularity dropped to 1%. This response fell below normal values after 7 days with an overshoot after days 14 and 21. UR-treated bone marrow cells showed a response to PHA below normal values after 1 and 7 days, a twofold increase after 3 days and an overshoot after 14 and 21 days. The responsiveness to Con A of both organs was affected by UR treatment to a much lesser extent, although following a pattern similar to that of PHA. E were never found, whether in normal nor in UR-treated animals. As far as the B-cell compartment is concerned, UR causes a progressive diminution of EAC, while the number of EA remains unaffected. The data are discussed in terms of selective effect on T- and B-cell subpopulations.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014520:Urethane / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens; D014520:Urethane