[Functional activity of cellular systems of immunity a long time after sublethal irradiation]

A study was made of the content and functional activity of cell populations and subpopulations involved in the immune response at remote times after single sublethal irradiation (3 Gy). The exposed mice exhibited an earlier thymus involution and a decrease in the number of CFUc and antibody-producers per 10(6) karyocytes. The decrease in the antibody production was due to the reduced functional activity of B- and T-lymphocyte precursors and cooperative activity of T-helpers. The inactivating capacity of T-killers increased.