Thymus-like activities of sulphur derivatives on T-cell differentiation.

Levamisole and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate can induce in vivo thymocyte differentiation from precursor spleen cells of nu/nu mice and evoke indirect plaque-forming cells in nude mice immunized with sheep red cells. These sulphur drugs induce in thymusless mice the production of a serum factor which transfer in vivo immune enhancement and in vitro thymocyte differentiation. In vivo treatment with sulphur derivative can substitute for an alleged thymice hormone.