THYMUS DEPENDENCY OF BONE-MARROW STEM-CELL PROLIFERATION IN RESPONSE TO CERTAIN ANTIGENS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (5) , 275-284
Abstract
The activity of mouse bone marrow CFU [colony form units] following systemic injection of antigen was investigated. In normal mice quiescent CFU may be triggered into cycle after antigenic challenge. Prior adult thymectomy prevents stimulation of CFU if thymus-dependent antigens are injected but not when thymus-independent antigens or nonspecific stimuli are used. Similar results were obtained in congenitally athymic mice. An independent pathway for CFU triggering of each cell lineage and for T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] cells was suggested.