Immunological defects in SJL mice

SJL mice are shown to be defective in their ability to develop suppressor cells following stimulation with Con A, a polyclonal T-cell activator. They make a normal proliferative response to this mitogen. In addition to this suppressor T-cell defect, the SJL mouse (unlike most mouse strains) does not develop a spontaneous antibody response to bromelain-treated autologous red blood cells (BrMRBC) in vitro. Although the SJL makes a normal proliferative response to LPS, antibody-forming cells against bromelain-treated autologous red blood cells are not increased following LPS in vivo nor does it manifest an increased response to SRBC or TNP. This may signify the presence of a functional B-cell defect in these animals. DBA mice are also shown, in this report, to have small numbers of antibody-forming cells to bromelain-treated autologous red blood cells but to be capable of responding to LPS in vivo with an increase in SRBC and TNP antibody responses.