Absence of demonstrable effects of thymocytotoxic antibodies on serum thymic hormone level in NZB mice

Abstract

Abstract Sir: We are pleased to read the new data provided by Bach, Dardenne, and Bach on the critical question: Is a decrease in thymic hormone(s) levels responsible for the development of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice? There is no question that these workers have provided the world with important ideas and information regarding autoimmunity and thymic factor(s). We believe, however, that Drs. Bach and co-workers have misinterpreted the thrust of our paper. Contrary to their assertion above, we do not conclude that the decrease in “thymic hormone levels” is due to NTA. Rather, we conclude that insufficient information is available to implicate decreased thymic hormone(s) levels as the cause of autoimmune disease in New Zealand mice. Most difficult to explain are the immunologic abnormalities in NZB and especially in NZB/NZW mice before the fall in thymic hormone(s) as measured by the mouse rosette assay.