Effect of interferon on the structural organization of rat thymus

Changes in the thymus of male Wistar rats were studied under a light microscope at various times after intranasal administration of α-interferon. The relative mass of the organ, the cortex volume, the total number of cells, the number of small and medium lymphocytes, and the number of mitoses decrease 14 days after interferon administration. At the same time, the number of macrophages, neutrophils, mature plasmacytes, eosinophils, and erythrocytes increases, and mast cells appear. Thus, α-interferon probably suppresses the formation of T cells, facilitates allergization of the organism, and increases the permeability of the vascular endothelium. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 609–612, December, 1994     

Effect of embryo irradiation on development of the thymus and formation of the T-lymphocyte population

Irradiation of pregnant mice causes destruction of the embryonal thymus and delays its colonization with lymphocytes, T-helper maturation, and elimination of T-lymphocyte precursors. After birth splenic colonization with lymphocytes, particularly with T helpers and T suppressors, is decresed. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 4, pp. 416–421, April, 1994     

A low-molecular-weight homogeneous fraction of the thymus stimulating immunogenesis

The effect of a purified acetic acid extract of thymus (thymarin) and of three of its fractions obtained by ion-exchange chromatography, and consisting of individual substances of polypeptide nature, on the immune response was studied in mice immunized with sheep's erythrocytes. Thymarin and one of its fractions with a molecular weight of about 5000 were shown to have a marked stimulating action on the thymus-dependent immune response (the formation of cells producing IgM and IgG antibodies and the circulating antibody level).Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR V. I. Ioffe.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 56–58, July, 1977.     

Effect of hydrocortisone on amine content in the thymus

Intraperitoneal injection of 2.5% hydrocortisone suspension (0.5 ml) changes the content of biogenic amines in different lobule zones and thymocytes of high animals. The content of norepinephrine and serotonin increases in luminescent cells of the subcapsular and premedullary zones and decreases in mast cells. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 6, pp. 677–679, June, 1997     

Effect of physiologically active substances isolated from the thymus on wound healing after cryosurgical destruction in rats

Experiments were carried out on 40 male albino rats after whole-body irradiation in a dose of 200 R to study the effect of thymarin, a preparation obtained from bovine thymus and consisting of a combination of three fractions of physiologically active polypeptides with a mean molecular weight of about 10,000 on the course of local wound healing after cryosurgical destruction of the mucous membrane of the hard palate. Thymarin was injected subcutaneously daily for 10 days after cryosurgical destruction. The experimental results reveal a beneficial effect of thymarin on the course of regeneration and, in particular, more rapid sloughing of necrotic tissues, a shortening of the period of epithelization of the wound surface, and prevention of the development of secondary infection.Department of Surgical Stomatology, I. P. Pavlov First Leningrad Medical Institute, S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. I. Rybakov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 355–358, September, 1977.     

Comparative indirect immunofluorescence study of myoid cells of the embryonic and adult human thymus

It was shown by the indirect immunofluorescence method that the lower content of muscle antigens in the myoid cells of the embryonic than in the adult human thymus is due to the higher secretory activity of these cells in the early stages of embryogenesis. Because of the increased secretory activity of the myoid cells the internal medium of the embryonic thymus contains more common antigens with muscle tissue than the adult human thymus. The fact that the functional activity of the myoid cells correlates during individual development with the rate of formation of lymphoid tissue confirms the view that heteroorganic antigens provide the lymphocytes of the thymus with information of the structure of autoantigens necessary for the formation of natural immunologic tolerance to them.Laboratory of Streptococcal Infections, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR O. V. Baroyan.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 86, No. 11, pp. 616–620, November, 1978.     

Development of endocrine and lymphocytopoietic functions of the thymus in human embryogenesis

The endocrine function of the thymus develops earlier than lymphocytopoietic. Thymalin is produced by epithelial cells in the thymus primordium. It is released into the blood and regulates differentiation of T lymphocytes in the liver, the initial hemopoietic organ. The hormonal and lymphopoietic functions of human thymus are united on weeks 7.5–8 of embryonic life. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 453–456, October, 2000     

Proliferation and cytotoxicity of thymus lymphocytes in vitro

The proliferative and cytolytic activity of lymphocytes from the spleen and intact thymus was compared after alloimmunization. The number of living cells and of DNA-synthesizing cells in a monoculture of thymocytes was 90–97% less, and in a mixed culture of thymus cells about 80% less that the corresponding number of spleen cells. The index of stimulation of immune thymocytes was several times greater than that of immune spleen cells. The peak of cytotoxicity was observed on the fourth to fifth day of stimulation, when the cytolytic activity of the immune thymocytes was close to the activity of immune spleen cells. The low DNA synthesis and the considerable cytotoxic activity of the immune thymocytes mean that stimulation of thymus cells in vitro can be used to obtain a cell population with a high content of cytolytic T lymphocytes.Laboratory of Systemic Blood Diseases, Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR O. V. Baroyan.) Translated from Byulleten Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 9, pp. 330–333, September, 1977.     

Morphofunctional transformations in the thymus and lymph nodes after irradiation with a helium-neon laser

Morphological transformations occurring in the thymus and lymph nodes are studied in Wistar rats after irradiation of the thymus projection area and transcutaneous irradiation of peripheral blood with a low-energy helium-neon laser during a 7-day period. Irradiation of the thymus projection area stimulates lymphopoiesis in T-dependent zones of lymph nodes, while irradiation of peripheral blood increases lymph flow through lymph node parenchyma and activates B-dependent zones. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 5, pp. 588–590, May, 1997     

Morphological and functional relations between the thymus and adrenals in inbred mice

A morphological investigation was made of the thymus, adrenals, and spleen of mice belonging to the CBA, C57BL/6, and AKR lines, and the immunologic reactivity of the mice to the sex antigen of a skin graft was studied together with determination of the plasma corticosterone level. A narrower cortical layer in the thymus, wide thymus-dependent zones in the spleen, and a higher corticosterone level were observed in CBA mice than in C57BL/6 and AKR mice, and no reaction was found in the former to sex antigen of the skin graft. Adrenalectomy on CBA mice led to a sharp increase in width of the cortex of the thymus, the appearance of numerous lymphatic follicles in the spleen, and the development of an immunologic reaction to sex antigen of the skin graft. In B mice of the CBA line atrophy of the adrenal cortex was observed, with a sharp decrease in the concentration of sudanophilic lipids.Departments of Pathological Anatomy and Microbiology, Smolensk Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Zhukov-Verezhnikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 591–594, May, 1978.     

Morphological analysis of the thymus of albino rats with tumors for experimental chemotherapy alone and in combination with activator influences of an alternating magnetic field

A study of the histological structure and cell composition of the thymus in rats with ascitic ovarian tumors for chemotherapy alone and in combination with an alternating magnetic field, which induces an antistressor adaptive response in the organism, showed that an alternative magnetic field potentiates the antitumor effect of thioTEPA and protects the thymus from toxic damage caused by high doses of chemotherapy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 535–539, November, 1994 Presented by N. V. Vasil'ev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Role of the hormonal status of the father in involution of the thymus in the progeny

This study was aimed at assessing the consequences of the influence of exogenous androgens on the epididymal sperm of fathers for their progeny. A single injection of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone to adult rats caused a transient increase of the level of the corresponding androgen, later leading to augmentation of the androgen-dependent organs and loss of thymus weight. Hyperandrogeny and earlier age-associated involution of the thymus were observed in the male progeny of androgenized males of reproductive age. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 5, pp. 562–564, May, 1996     

Elimination of stress-induced changes in the thymus within laser irradiation of the endocrine glands

Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 116, N ^o 10, pp. 360–362, October, 1993     

Stimulation and suppression of contact dermatitis in mice by low-molecular-weight thymus humoral factor

The effect of a low-molecular-weight lymphocytosis-stimulating substance (LSS) from the thymus on the development of contact sensitivity to picryl chloride was investigated in mice. Small doses of LSS were found to potentiate, whereas large doses suppressed this type of delayed hypersensitivity. Contact sensitivity can be transferred passively by means of lymph node and spleen cells isolated on the 6th day after immunization. The experiments showed that mice receiving large doses of LSS contain cells which suppress the passive transfer of contact sensitivity by immune cells. This suppression was absent after treatment of the cells with -antiserum and complement. It is concluded that the suppressor cells influence the effector phase of contact sensitivity.Laboratory of Immunochemistry of Hormones, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ministry of Health of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Gorev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 5, pp. 572–575, May, 1978.     

Cytoarchitectonics of the striate cortex in carnivores and primates following optic tract transection

Examination of brains from Old World monkeys and cats one year after optic tract transection showed a significantly reduced density of neurons in layer IV C of area 17 (striate cortex) in the projection of central vision on the transection side in the monkeys but not in the cats. It is concluded that peripheral vision is less vulnerable to deafferentation than central vision. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 95–96, July, 1994 Presented by O. S. Adrianov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of thymus extract and of late thymectomy on interferon production

Mice aged 10 days do not produce interferon in response to injection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). A single injection of a fraction of calf thymus extract, obtained by the method of Gyulling et al., into newborn mice conferred the ability to produce interferon on mice at the age of 10 days. In response to injection of NDV, adult rats produce interferon in high titers. The intensity of interferon synthesis was unchanged 2–3 months after thymectomy.Laboratory of Physiology and Pathophysiology and Laboratory of Virology, Kiev Research Institute of Otolaryngology. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Gorev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 10, pp. 439–440, October, 1977.     

Cytological profile of the thymus of mice with increased resistance to P3-X63-Ag8.653-MOPC plasmocytoma after stress

Pronounced stimulation of antigen-independent differentiation of T lymphocytes is found. Physical loads and immobilization stress are shown to considerably augment both the immigration of T lymphocyte precursors to the thymus and the emigration of differentiated lymphocytes, as well as to affect the rate of cell differentiation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 454–456, May, 1994 Presented by N. K. Permyakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Reaction of different functional zones in mouse thymus and spleen lymphoid tissue to γ-irradiation

It is shown that immune organs respond to single γ-radiation of 6.9 Gy in a cyclic manner. Acute reaction characterized by spontaneous lymphocyte lysis in the thymus and spleen develops on day 1 postirradiation and takes 3 and 7 days, respectively. This is followed by enhancement of thymocyte mitotic activity and migration of young cells to the thymic cortex and splenic lymphoid tissue. Twenty-one day postirradiation lymphoid cell populations in the thymus and spleen recover to 70–90 and 55–70%, respectively. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 4, pp. 381–384, April, 1998