title: Regulation of antibody synthesis in the X-irradiated Mexican axolotl.
abstract: The effects of X-irradiation were studied on the Mexican axolotl antibody synthesis. To reduce the anti-horse red blood cell (HRBC) antibody titers, 150 rd and smaller doses are ineffective, 200-450 rd are increasingly effective, and 700 rd are maximally effective (and lethal). A significant enhancement of the anti-HRBC titers was observed in low doses (50-150 rd X-irradiated animals). This enhancement was also observed when a low X-ray dose was applied only on the thymic areas. In whole body, but thymus area-shielded, 100 rd X-irradiated animals, the anti-HRBC titers were similar to those of the nonirradiated, HRBC-immunized control group. To explain these phenomena, it is suggested that a radiosensitive, adult thymectomy-sensitive and hydrocortisone-sensitive suppressor T cell subpopulation regulates the antibody synthesis in the axolotl.
mesh_terms: D000557:Ambystoma / Q000276:immunology*; D000558:Ambystoma mexicanum / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008099:Liver / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D013154:Spleen / Q000528:radiation effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation; D014965:X-Rays