Abnormal Development of the Thymus and Immune Function in Congenitally Athymic Nude Mice and Rats

抄録

The defective development of the thymus and immune function in congenitally athymic nude mutant of the mouse (nu/mu) and rat (rnu/rnu) were described. The thymic anlage in nude mouse and rat is unable to differentiate into keratinizing epithelial cells that might result in defective induction of functional T cells. Athymic nude animals have little T cell function but enhanced natural killer activity which provides defense mechanism against malignancy. The T and NK cell-deprived model prepared by injecting rabbit anti-asialo GM1 antibody into nude mice demonstrates suppressive role of asialo GM1^+ NK cells against tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. In addition, asialo GM1^+ cells in nude spleen are shown to be precursor for Thy-1^+, Lyt-^2+ cytotoxic T cells induced by alloantigen in nude mice.