Biology ETDs

Publication Date

4-3-1979

Abstract

The ability of female mice to reject tailskin grafts from male mice of the same inbred strain appears to be regulated by genes located in the major histocompatibility complex of the female recipient. Cell-meditated responses of “nonrejector” strain female mice, grafted with male tailskin, were studied to better understand regulation of the immune response to H-Y (male) antigen. Both in vivo and in vitro experimental systems were used. Survival of male skin grafts on splenectomized female recipients was compared with survival of grafts on untreated females and on splenectomized females reconstituted with spleen or thymus cell preparations. In addition, we studied the ability of thymectomized females, and that of thymectomized females treated with a synthetic derivative, TP5, of the thymic hormone thymopoietin, to respond to male skin by rejecting the graft. In vitro cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes from grafted mice was assayed using the standard 51Cr release assay, and a microassay in which in vitro anti-H-Y sensitized lymphocytes served as effector cells.

This series of experiments demonstrated that “nonrejector” strain females are capable of responding to male skin grafts by mounting a cell-mediated cytotoxic response. Both splenectomized and thymectomized recipients successfully rejected male tailskin grafts, implying that removal of these organs results in loss of a factor directly, or indirectly responsible for suppression of the cytotoxic response to H-Y antigen.

Results of the reconstitution and TP5-treatment experiments allow probable identification of this factor as a suppressor T cell belonging to the short-lived, spleen-seeking Lyt-12+ subpopulation. Activation or production of this suppressor cell appears to be regulated by immune response genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Microbiology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

Ellen Heller Goldberg

Second Committee Member

Sei Tokuda

Third Committee Member

Leroy Clarence McLaren

Fourth Committee Member

Scott Wilson Jordan

Fifth Committee Member

Illegible

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