The role of thymus on autosensitization against syngeneic normal and malignant cells.

Mouse lymphocytes were exposed to syngeneic fibroblasts and tumor cells in Millipore chambers inserted into the peritoneal cavity of intact and thymectomized mice. Autosensitization to fibroblasts occurred only if the chambers were carried by thymectomized mice. Sensitization to tumor-specific antigens also took place in intact mice. If thymic extract was administered to thymectomized mice autosensitization in the chambers was inhibited.