The spleen in Friend leukemia. II. Nonleukemic nature of spleen stroma.

Pieces of Friend leukemic spleens implanted sc into mice regenerated into normal-appearing spleens if animals were protected against the leukemia. In unimmunized animals, the implant regenerated normally, but was subsequently infiltrated by leukemia cells. This leukemia cell infiltration required at least 30% stromal regeneration of the implant. The hematopoietic regeneration was primarily a repopulation with cells from the host animal, not with cells indigenous to the donor spleen. The development of the implant, whether normal or leukemic, was retarded by the presence of the host spleen, whether leukemic or normal. These studies strongly suggested that the stromal cells of the spleen are not directly involved in the virus-induced leukemic process but acted as supporting structure for the malignant cells.