Ontogenesis of Immune Capability of Murine Bone Marrow Cells and Spleen Cells against Transplantation Antigens

Bone marrow and spleen cell suspensions from C57BL/6 mice were tested for immune competence against transplantation antigens present in B6D2F1 hybrid mice. The test system was the Simonsen GVH spleen weight-gain assay. C57BL/6 mice, which ranged in age from newborns to adults, were the cell donors. Spleen cells first developed immune competence against transplantation antigens when the donor mice were between 6 and 8 days of age. Bone marrow cells failed to exhibit apparent immune competence at any age, with the cell dose employed, and as measured in this bioassay.