CHANGES IN LYMPHOID POPULATIONS OF AGEING CBA AND NZB MICE.

Changes in subpopulations of lymphoid cells of normal (CBA) and autoimmune (NZB) mice were studied as a function of age, by observing migration patterns of 51Cr labelled lymph node, spleen and thymus cells from donors aged 8 days to 12 months. The method permits analysis of the proportions and numbers of recirculating and non-recirculating lymphocytes in lymphoid compartments. Changes in the lymphoid populations of CBA mice were found, which could be attributed to the normal processes of maturation and senescence. In NZB mice relative and absolute decreases in the recirculating cell content of lymph node and spleen were observed which coincided with the time of development of autoimmunity. The significance of these results, in relation to altered immunocompetence with age, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]