THYMIC HORMONE-ACTIVITY AND SPONTANEOUS AUTOIMMUNITY IN DWARF MICE AND THEIR LITTERMATES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (6) , 783-788
Abstract
Serum thymic hormone activity (TA) was determined in hereditary hypopituitary dwarf mice (dw/dw) and their littermates (+/dw or +/+). It was very low in the dwarf animals in comparison to their littermates. At 14 wk of age, the dwarf littermates exhibited significant glomerular lesions characterized by deposits of IgG [immunoglobulin G], IgG1, IgG2, IgA, IgM and C3 [the 3rd complement component], which were augmented by thymectomy of adult females. Hypopituitary dwarf mice had minimal glomerular deposits of Ig. Unlike these animals, their littermates showed antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-DNA antibodies in their serum. The findings are discussed in relation to hypotheses on the role of the hypophysis in thymus-dependent [T] immunological functions and the significance of T-cell deficiency in the development of autoimmunity.