[Autoreactivity of splenic cells of old rats and animals treated with hydrocortisone]

Spleen cells from 14-month-old mice are capable to induce GVH reaction in syngeneic recipients. Spleen cells obtained on the third day after hydrocortisone injection also induce GVH reaction in syngeneic recipients. The results suggest that T cells which suppress the activity of autoreactive lymphocytes are eliminated with age and after exposure to hydrocortisone.