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Differences in thymus-dependency among various T-cell functions
Effects of thymectomy of various times after birth on cytotoxicity, delayed footpad reaction and antibody production were examined in 6 week old mice immunized intraperitoneally with chicken erythrocytes. Cytotoxicity and antibody production were abolished by thymectomy within 3 days after birth. Mice thymectomized at 5 days of age or later showed appreciable degrees of cytotoxicity and antibody production. On the other hand, a delayed footpad reaction could be elicited even in mice thymetocmized within 24 h after birth, although the degree of the reaction was reduced by such a treatment. Therefore, T cells responsible for delayed hypersensitivity were less thymus-dependent and required the presence of the thymus for a shorter period in their development that those responsible for cytotoxicity or antibody production.
Effects of thymectomy of various times after birth on cytotoxicity, delayed footpad reaction and antibody production were examined in 6 week old mice immunized intraperitoneally with chicken erythrocytes. Cytotoxicity and antibody production were abolished by thymectomy within 3 days after birth. Mice thymectomized at 5 days of age or later showed appreciable degrees of cytotoxicity and antibody production. On the other hand, a delayed footpad reaction could be elicited even in mice thymetocmized within 24 h after birth, although the degree of the reaction was reduced by such a treatment. Therefore, T cells responsible for delayed hypersensitivity were less thymus-dependent and required the presence of the thymus for a shorter period in their development that those responsible for cytotoxicity or antibody production.