The thymus as primary site for antigen-specific T suppressor cells in neonatally induced tolerance to bovine serum albumin.
The ontogeny of antigen-specific T suppressor cells in thymus and spleen was analyzed in CBA/Ca mice which were rendered tolerant as neonates by subimmunogenic doses of bovine serum albumin (low-zone tolerance). Activity of T suppressor cells from those mice was assessed by an assay in which spleen cells from animals primed with fluorescein-conjugated human gamma globulin can be stimulated in vitro to produce IgG anti-fluorescein antibodies when cultured in the presence of fluorescein-conjugated bovine serum albumin. Carrier-specific T suppressor cells appear first in the thymus (day 10), and much later (day 30) in the spleen. The data are discussed in connection with the possible role of T suppressor cells during induction of tolerance in newborn mice.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA / Q000276:immunology; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine