Allogeneic Lymphoid Cell Disease in Mid-lethally Irradiated CBA Mice: The Delayed Harmful Effects of Small Numbers of C3H Lymphoid Cells

Summary

A small number of allogeneic lymphoid cells may cause marked damage in recipients with depressed immune responsiveness, even when the antigenic differences are minor. Injection of 1000 C3H lymphoid cells into 9-month-old CBA mice irradiated with 750 rads increased mortality (a) in the second to sixth months and (b) after 18 months. In the first period there was a three-fold increase in syndromes attributable to lymphoid deficiency.

Somatic mutation in lymphoid cells may be the explanation for delayed deaths during the second to sixth months following whole-body irradiation, when allogeneic cells have not been given.