STUDIES ON HYPERLYMPHOID MICE

Abstract

Injection of syngeneic but chromosomally distinguishable lymph node or spleen cells into adult mice resulted in T[thymus-derived] and B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte chimerism. In spleen-injected mice hematopoietic chimerism was also established. The donor T-lymphocytes were apparently added to the host recirculating T-cell pool so that a hyperlymphoid state was produced. Percentage of donor T-lymphoctes declined very slowly in normal mice, but remained stable in adult-thymectomized animals. There was no evidence of a homeostatic mechanism involving excess peripheral T-lymphocyte destruction or grossly affecting T-lymphocyte flow from the thymus into the recirculating T-cell pool. A preliminary T-lymphocyte system model was proposed.