[Immunological changes in the thymus epithelial tissue of mice during accidental involution]

Using sera containing antibodies to antigens of epithelial reticular cells it is possible to detect by immunofluorescence early stages of organ accidental involution and to trace parenchyma demasking that results from lymphocyte migration upon injection of prednisolone, azathioprin or their combinations. Prior to the drug administration only certain short thin processes of epithelial cells masked by a great number of lymphoid elements are detectable in the cortical zone of the thymus. Injection of 10-40 mg/kg prednisolone, 100-200 mg/kg azathioprin or their combinations causes stable different-degree demasking of the epithelial reticulum seen during immunofluorescence as a network of fluorescent processes. Administration of drug combinations also causes marked attenuation of the reaction, probably resulting from dystrophic changes in thymic epithelial cells.