Differences in thymus dependency among the alloreactive T-cell subpopulations in their development: graft-versus-host reaction appears to be mediated by delayed-type hypersensitivity of tuberculin type.
The effects of thymectomy at various times after birth, 1 and 7 days (Tx-1, Tx-7), on delayed footpad reactions, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC), production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and graft-versus-host reactions (GVHR) against allogeneic antigens were determined by experiments with 8-week-old mice. Delayed footpad reactions were detected in Tx-1 mice, but CMC, production of MIF, and the ability to raise GVHR were not detected in such mice. CMC was detected in Tx-7 mice. However, the ability to raise GVHR and to produce MIF was abolished by thymectomy at 7 days after birth. These results suggest that the effector mechanism to mount a GVHR might be mediated by delayed-type hypersensitivity of tuberculin type rather than CMC to host antigens.
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000032:analysis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D013934:Thymectomy
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors