[Cytofluorometric analysis of thymic lymphocytic subpopulations in mice with B-16 melanoma]

Two colour flow cytometric analysis of the Lyt2 and L3T4 T-cell surface antigens on thymocytes from B16 melanoma bearing mice, reveal an altered cell phenotype. At the early stage of the neoplasia and during the growth, the phenotypes Lyt2+/L3T4- (T suppressor) and Lyt2+/L3T4+ (T immature) decrease. Conversely, Lyt2-/L3T4+ (T helper) increase. These findings suggest the hypothesis that impairment of the immune functions in B16 melanoma bearing mice could be due to a primary thymic alteration.