Thymus: Role in Resistance to Polyoma Virus Oncogenesis

Abstract

Mice of the C57BL strain are highly resistant to the oncogenic property of LID-1 polyoma virus, but complete thymectomy within 24 hours of birth rendered these mice susceptible. In thymectomized mice inoculated with adult syngeneic spleen cells, the capacity to resist oncogenesis was restored. The results add further weight to the concept that induction and progression of tumors by polyoma virus has an immunologic basis.