Immune responses in congenitally thymus-less mice. I. Absence of response to oxazolone.

Abstract

Cell proliferation in regional lymph nodes of mice sensitized with oxazolone was measured by uptake of (125)IUdR. Experimental factors affecting incorporation of IUdR into lymph nodes are described. The delayed hypersensitivity response was assessed by measuring the increase in ear thickness after subsequent challenge with oxazolone. Unlike normal mice, thymus-less `nude' mice showed no detectable response to oxazolone. Implantation of an allogeneic neonatal thymus, either subcutaneously or under the kidney capsule, adoptively conferred on `nude' mice the ability to mount a lymphoproliferative response.