Observations on the immunobiology of 'nude' mice

Abstract

Mice homozygous for the mutation nude (nu), which are born without a thymus, accept allogeneic skin grafts. Prior intraperitoneal injection of a thymic cell suspension, or implantation of a thymus on the first day after birth, enables the `nude' mice to reject skin grafts.

γ-Globulins are generally present in `nude' mice. Haemolysin activity in response to sheep red cell injection is detectable but much lower than in normal animals.

The similarity of the `nude' syndrome to certain human primary immunological deficiencies is briefly considered in the light of these experiments and of embryological evidence.