Response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from the [formula omitted] mouse to phytohemagglutinin

Abstract

In view of the earlier occurrence and greater prevalence of autoimmune disease in the female New Zealand black/white ( NZB NZW )F 1 hybrid mouse, we have compared the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from male and female F 1 mice to phytohemagglutinin-M (PHA). Between the ages of 6 and 20 weeks, the response of lymphocytes from F 1 hybrid females was significantly greater than that of males. A peak in the response of the female occurred at 12 – 14 weeks of age. The response to PHA in both sexes began decreasing at 22 weeks of age, with the rate of decrease being greater in the female. Additional experiments showed that the plasma from ( NZB NZW )F 1 females enhanced the responsiveness of PBL from ( NZB NZW )F 1 males. In contrast, male plasma suppressed responsiveness of PBL from females. The age at which female mice begin to hyperrespond to PHA correlates with the time at which others have reported loss of suppressor T-cell function in these mice. Our data suggest a difference between the immunological responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocytes of male and female ( NZB NZW )F 1 mice.