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Thymus and the Production of Antibody-plaque-forming Cells

Nature volume 208, pages 1332–1334 (1965)Cite this article

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the thymus itself does not play an active part in immune responses1, its presence is essential for the normal development of immunological faculties. Neonatal thymectomy in many species considerably impairs the capacity of an animal to produce some types of immune responses2. Thymectomy in adult life has no immediate effect but, after a period of 6–9 months, reduces the capacity to react to a newly encountered antigen3. The possible mechanisms by which the thymus exerts its influence on the immunological system have been discussed elsewhere4, and it has been concluded that the immunological defects encountered after thymectomy are primary and not secondary to infection or auto-immunity5. Evidence is presented here to show that thymectomy practically inhibits the development of the capacity to produce antibody-plaque-forming cells following the injection of sheep erythrocytes. This impairment is evident in clinically healthy suckling baby mice thymectomized at birth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chester Beatty Research Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Cancer Hospital, Fulham Road, London, S.W.3

    J. F. A. P. MILLER, P. M. DE BURGH & G. A. GRANT

Authors
  1. J. F. A. P. MILLER
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  2. P. M. DE BURGH
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  3. G. A. GRANT
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MILLER, J., DE BURGH, P. & GRANT, G. Thymus and the Production of Antibody-plaque-forming Cells. Nature 208, 1332–1334 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/2081332a0

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