A new mutation, aly, that induces a generalized lack of lymph nodes accompanied by immunodeficiency in mice.
We have found a new spontaneous autosomal recessive mutation in mice that causes a systemic absence of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. The name "alymphoplasia", with the gene symbol "aly", is proposed for this mutant. The spleen of aly/aly mice is devoid of well-defined lymphoid follicles, and the thymus does not show a clear cortical-medullary distinction. The mutant homozygotes are deficient in both humoral and cell-mediated immune functions, and are highly susceptible to infections. They have a reduced level of IgM and severely depressed levels of IgG and IgA in their sera, and do not reject allogeneic skin grafts. However, they have mature T and B cells as determined from their cell surface antigens. The results of bone marrow transplantation experiments suggest a mesenchymal disorder as a possible cause of the lack of lymph nodes and of immunodeficiency in the aly mouse. The aly mutant mouse may be a useful animal model of primary immunodeficiency, as are the nu (nude) and scid (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice.
Miyawaki
S
S
Research Laboratories, Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan.
Nakamura
Y
Y
Suzuka
H
H
Koba
M
M
Yasumizu
R
R
Ikehara
S
S
Shibata
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation
D006183:H-2 Antigens