Prevention of Viral Lymphoid Leukemia of Mice by Thymectomy.

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Abstract
Induction of lymphomas by chemicals and ionizing radiation, as well as development of spontaneous lymphoma in Ak and C58 mice, can be prevented by thymectomy. A study was undertaken on whether induction of leukemia by virus originating in Ak mice can also be prevented by thymectomy. C3H/f/Gs (99) mice were infected when few days old with Gross Virus A (Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. and Med., 94: 767, 1957). Alternate animals were thymectomized at about 4-6 weeks of age. Leukemia developed in 25 of 50 non-thymecto-mized and only 1 of 49 thymectomized infected mice. Leukemia was absent in 14 thymectomized and 27 normal uninjected controls. Therefore, the fulcrum of the action of leukemia virus is the thymus. It is concluded that either the virus has a specific affinity for the thymus or the lymphocyte stimulating factor of thymic reticulum is essential for lymphoma induction.