title: Reversible restoration by thymosin of antigen-induced depression of spleen DNA synthesis in NZB mice.
abstract: Antigen-induced depression of spleen DNA synthesis was studied in NZB and CBA/J mice. This phenomenon, a measure of T suppressor cell activity, normally decreases as a consequence of aging. However, NZB mice have an accelerated loss of antigen-induced depression that can be restored by treatment with thymosin or injection of 1-month-old NZB thymocytes. The restoration by thymosin declined between 1 and 2 weeks after treatment, but could be induced again after a second exposure to thymosin. These results suggest a potential for reversible but repeatable restoration of suppressor cell activity in NZB mice.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007065:Idoxuridine; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013947:Thymosin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013949:Thymus Extracts; D013947:Thymosin; D004247:DNA; D007065:Idoxuridine