DECREASED LYMPHOID CELL MULTIPLICATION IN THE POST-THYMECTOMY STATE

Abstract

SUMMARY The response of lymphocytes from neonatally thymectomized rats to various mitogens was studied in vitro. Lymph node lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohcmagglutinin, poleweed mitogen, or allogeneic cells treated with mitomycin-C. A significant depression in the uptake of tritiated thymidine occured in response to all mitogens, although the cll survival in unstimulated cultures from thymectomized animals was normal. In vitro lymphocyte response to mitogens correlates well with tests of cell-mediated immunity in rats and, like these, appears to depend upon a thymic influence.