Cell-Mediated Immune Responses of Preleukemic AKR Mice

Splenic lymphocytes from preleukemic AKR mice are capable of participating in various cell-mediated immune responses. Spleen cells from AKR mice aged 1 to 10 months produced a significant graft-versus-host reaction when injected into 8-day-old AKR x C57Bl/6 F(1) hybrids. Splenic lymphocytes from similarly aged mice were also capable of responding to allogenic stimulation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. AKR mice aged 1 to 10 months developed a contact sensitivity response to picryl chloride. It was concluded that mice of this high-leukemic strain have a competent cell-mediated immune system and there is no depression of immunity during the preleukemic period.