Differences in thymus-dependency among various T-cell functions.
Effects of thymectomy of various times after birth on cytotoxicity, delayed footpad reaction and antibody production were examined in 6 week old mice immunized intraperitoneally with chicken erythrocytes. Cytotoxicity and antibody production were abolished by thymectomy within 3 days after birth. Mice thymectomized at 5 days of age or later showed appreciable degrees of cytotoxicity and antibody production. On the other hand, a delayed footpad reaction could be elicited even in mice thymetocmized within 24 h after birth, although the degree of the reaction was reduced by such a treatment. Therefore, T cells responsible for delayed hypersensitivity were less thymus-dependent and required the presence of the thymus for a shorter period in their development that those responsible for cytotoxicity or antibody production.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013934:Thymectomy; D013997:Time Factors
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D003520:Cyclophosphamide