Immunological competence: alteration by whole body x-irradiation and shielding of selected lymphoid tissues.
The spleen and thymus of 6-week-old mice contain similar numbers of lymphoid cells. A lethal dose of x-irradiation given to animials whose thymus, midgut, or hindlimbs were shielded at the same time resulted in permanent acceptance of allografts, while a similar dose given to spleen-shielded mice so irradiated resulted in a normal rejection pattern. The return of immunological competence was related to the state of the lymphoid organs with different types of shielding.
D000818:Animals; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D011830:Radiation Effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D014181:Transplantation Immunology