T cell leukaemia in the rat: the pathophysiology.

A new transplantable lymphocytic leukaemia of the inbred Hooded Oxford strain of rat is described. Fewer than 10 cells will transfer to syngeneic recipients. Leukaemic cells bear the surface markers of thymus-derived (T) cells and recirculate from blood to lymph. In contrast to the usual thymic lymphomas of rodents the pathophysiology of the disease bears a close resemblance to human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.