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Cellular Immune Competence of Spleen Bursa and Thymus Cells

Nature volume 217, pages 87–89 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

IN the chicken there are two central lymphoid organs, the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius. Recognition of the roles of these two organs in the ontogeny of immunological responsiveness permits definition of two functionally and morphologically distinct lymphoid cell lines1–4. The avian thymus, like the mammalian thymus, is essential to the normal development of a population of small lymphocytes and cellular immunity, while the bursa of Fabricius plays a similar part in the ontogeny of the plasma cell line and humoral immunity4. In addition, the thymus may contribute towards full development of humoral immune responsiveness4–6. A bursa equivalent has not been identified in all species, but evidence indicates that lymphoid tissues associated with organized gut exercise these functions in rabbits. These lymphoid tissues include Peyer's patches, sacculus rotundus and appendix3,7.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Medical School Research Laboratories of the Variety Club Heart Hospital, University of Minnesota,

    W. A. CAIN, M. D. COOPER & R. A. GOOD

Authors
  1. W. A. CAIN
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  2. M. D. COOPER
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  3. R. A. GOOD
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CAIN, W., COOPER, M. & GOOD, R. Cellular Immune Competence of Spleen Bursa and Thymus Cells. Nature 217, 87–89 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/217087a0

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