Casein-induced experimental amyloidosis. IX. Alterations in marrow dependent function.

CBA/J mice receiving multiple injections of sodium caseinate (CAS) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were assayed for marrow dependent functions by measuring their ability (i) to reject bone marrow allografts and (ii) to resist Friend virus (FV)-induced suppression of lymphocyte mitogenesis. Mice that developed amyloidosis following 25-30 injections completely lost the ability to reject allogeneic marrow cells, whereas nonamyloid BSA-treated mice had enhanced rejection of marrow allografts. There was increased resistance to the suppressive effects of FV in spleen cells from 'preamyloid' mice receiving CAS injections and nonamyloid mice receiving 10-40 BSA injections. Amyloid mice appeared to be as susceptible to the effects of FV-induced suppression as control (untreated) animals. These data indicate that alterations in marrow dependent function may be related to the pathogenesis of amyloid disease.