Immunocompetence in the AKR Mouse

• Main Author: Dunton, Helen
• Other Authors: Hatten, Betty A.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: North Texas State University 1976
• Subjects: immune responses; Immunocompetent cells.; Oncogenic viruses.; Cancer > Immunological aspects.; Mouse leukemia complex.; Gross virus; AKR mice
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504367/

A model for the study of the relationship of immunity to cancer is found in AKR mice which harbor Gross virus. This genetically transmitted virus is present in a latent form for months before it spontaneously induces leukemia. Many investigators have demonstrated near normal humoral responses, but abnormal cellular immunity in the preleukemic animal. With increasing age, pathology of the disease is expressed, reflecting diminished immunity. In this study, the ontogeny of humoral antibodies of AKR/J and SWR/J mice was assayed by microagglutination techniques in response to thymus-independent, thymus-dependent, and solubilized antigens. Simultaneous injections of thymusdependent and -independent antigens provided data suggesting an impaired humoral response in the AKR mouse.