Restoration of T-cell function in nude mice by grafting the epitheliomesenchymal thymic rudiment from 10-day-old euthymic embryos.
The capacity of the uncolonized thymic epithelium to restore immune function in nude mice was demonstrated by grafting the 3rd branchial arch area taken from euthymic 10-day BALB/c embryos into syngeneic newborn nude mice. Twenty-six percent of the operated animals became immunocompetent. T-cell function was tested with skin grafts and the presence of high levels of Thy-1 positive cells plus a variety of in vitro culture assays: Con A stimulation of T lymphocytes, cytotoxicity and alloreactivity in MLR of the recipient toward allogeneic spleen cells. All these tests showed a pattern of response similar to normal euthymic BALB/c mice.
Khazaal
I
I
Institut d'Embryologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire du CNRS et du Collège de France, Nogent-sur-Marne.
Salaün
J
J
Coltey
M
M
Calman
F
F
Le Douarin
N
N
D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000637:transplantation*; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic