Abstract
Absolute serum concentrations of IgA, IgGl, IgG2, and IgM were determined in athymic (‘nude’) mice which were unstimulated or injected with sheep erythrocyte (SRBC) antigen. Immunoglobulin concentrations were compared with those in phenotypically normal control mice. All animals were 8 weeks old when tested, the SRBC-injected groups having received antigen one week earlier. Immunoglobulins were quantitated by single radial immunodiffusion using antisera produced against type-specific mouse myeloma globulins. As compared with normal mice, nude mice had significantly lower mean concentrations of all Ig classes except IgM. The most dramatic reduction was seen in the IgGl level (23-fold). The absence of depressed IgM levels was interesting in light of a more than ten-fold reduction of anti-SRBC IgM antibody in immunized nudes when compared with immunized normal animals. It is evident that most antigens naturally encountered by the mouse induce thymus-independent IgM production, while IgG (especially IgG1) formation is thymus-dependent.
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