Immune Response of Congenitally Thymusless Mice to Heterologous Erythrocytes 1

Abstract

Summary

Hemagglutinin and hemolysin production by congenitally thymusless (“nude”) mice in response to intraperitoneal injection of 10⁷, 10⁸, 10⁹, or 10¹⁰ sheep erythrocytes (SE) was significantly lower than in normal littermate controls. The plaque-forming cell response of nudes was also impaired. Rosette-forming cells (RFC) were observed in unimmunized nude mice. Injection of SE did not result in the formation of increased numbers of RFC in nude mice, whereas littermate controls responded strongly.

The authors express appreciation to R. C. Roberts and D. S. Falconer for providing the breeding nucleus of mice carrying nude and to Mrs. Billie Welty for excellent technical assistance.