Pathogenesis of autoimmunity in New Zealand mice V. Loss of thymic suppressor function

Recent studies support the concept of thymic regulatory or suppressor function. Such regulatory function appears to be present in the first month of life in NZB and NZB/W mice, but is rapidly lost with age. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that loss of suppressor function may play an important pathogenetic role in the development of autoimmunity.