Journal of Dental Research, Vol 68, 1252-1255, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The effects of submandibularectomy on the thymus and T-cell system of mice
A. Letic-Gavrilovic, C. Radojicic and K. Abe
Department of Oral Biochemistry, Fukuoka Dental College, Japan.
Functional changes of the T-cell immune system in submandibularectomized
(SMx) male mice of CBA/H strain were analyzed three or four weeks after
treatment. Thymuses and spleens were weighed and morphologically examined
by light microscopy. We tested proliferation rates of thymocytes and
splenocytes (stimulated by Con A and PHA) and cytotoxic activity of T
lymphocytes in SMx, CBA/H (H-2k) mice by means of the rejection test of
allogeneic skin graft (Balb/c, H-2d) and a microcytoxicity to allo-antigens
of EL-4 tumor cells (H-2b). Results showed a reduction of the weights of
the thymus and spleen. However, there was increased functional capacity of
the thymocytes--expressed as increased proliferation rates of the
stimulated thymocytes, increased microcytotoxicity to allo-antigens of EL-4
tumor cells in vitro, and a reduction of the survival period of skin
allografts in vivo. No morphological changes other than a reduction in both
the cortex and medullar of the thymus were observed. The subpopulational
changes within the T-cell system because of SMx indicate that the
morphological atrophy could be just a consequence of SMx.
