Elsevier

Cellular Immunology

Volume 137, Issue 2, 15 October 1991, Pages 316-328
Cellular Immunology

Thymic irradiation inhibits the rapid recovery of TH1 but not TH2-Like functions of CD4+ T cells after total lymphoid irradiation

https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8749(91)90082-MGet rights and content

Abstract

Four to six weeks after total lymphoid irradiation (TL1), there is a selective deficit in the CD4+ T cells which secrete IL-2, proliferate in the MLR, and induce GVHD (Th1-like functions). A similar deficit in CD4+ T cells which secrete IL-4 and help antibody responses (Th2-like functions) is not observed. In the present study, shielding of the thymus with lead during TLI increased the Th1-like functions of CD4+ cells. Mice without thymus shields showed a marked selective reduction in the medullary stromal cells identified with the monoclonal antibody, MD1, and the severe reduction was prevented with thymus shields. Thus, shielding the thymus prevents the depletion of thymic medullary stromal cells and allows for a rapid recovery of Th1-like functions in the mouse spleen after TLI. Th2-like functions recover rapidly after TLI whether or not the thymus is irradiated.

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    Current address: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

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