HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Chiscon, M. O. Articles by Golub, E. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Chiscon, M. O. Articles by Golub, E. S.

Functional Development of the Interacting Cells in the Immune Response¹

I. Development of T Cell and B Cell Function

From the Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana 47907

Abstract

The functional ontogeny of the interacting T cell and B cell⁴ populations in the antibody response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) was investigated in CBA mice. It was found that T cell function, as determined by the ability of test cells to interact with adult bone marrow cells, was not detectable in fetal or neonate liver or lung. Moreover, even in the thymus this function remained less than 10% of adult values until birth. At birth T cell function increased exponentially, reaching adult levels within 48 hr. Neonatally thymectomized mice reconstituted with thymus cells of various ages confirmed these results. By day 4 after birth, T cell function could be detected in the spleen. B cell function, as determined by the ability of test cells to interact with adult thymus cells, was detected in the neonate spleen from day one. Therefore, both B cell and T cell function was present in the spleen from day 4 after birth. B cell function also was found in the fetal and neonate liver. B cell function of fetal liver was only 1/6 that of adult bone marrow on fetal day 16, quickly surpassed adult bone marrow activity near birth, and then equalled adult bone marrow activity until day 6 after birth. The ontogeny of B cell and T cell function in the antibody response to SRBC appears to take place at separate times in the mouse. B cell function develops first, most probably from the most primitive stem cell. T cell function develops later, after a structural thymus is present. Migration of T cell lymphocytes to other lymphoid tissue shortly after birth is consistent with the data presented.

Footnotes

¹ Supported by United States Public Health Service Grant AI-08800 and an institutional grant to Purdue University from the American Cancer Society.

² Supported by a National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship. This work is taken, in part, from a thesis submitted to the Graduate School of Purdue University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

³ Recipient of a United States Public Health Service Research Career Development Award.