Studies on function of lymphocytes in NZB X NZW F 1 hybrid mice; autoantibody-producing cells and cytotoxicity of lymphocytes.

Several experiments were performed using B/W mice, experimental model of human systemic lupus crythematosus, with a view to explore the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. As a result of the Investigation by the immunocyte adherence method, autoantibody-producing cells were demonstrated at a ration of 1 to 4% in the spleen, thymus and lymph nodes of B/W mice, but nearly absent in the bone marrow. B/W mouse lymphocytes showed the cytotoxic activity to allgeneic target cells (L cells), but ANA positive sera from B/W mice also had a remarkable cytotoxic activity in the presence of the complement of a high concentration. It was also disclosed that there are Ig+ and theta-lymphocytes in the B/W mouse thymus at a nearly equal percentage, and the possible identity of the two was suggested.