Immunoglobulin production in nude rats with special attention to the IgE isotype.

The production of immunoglobulins has been studied in Nude (rnu/rnu) rats as well as in their controls (RNU/+). A prototype of humoral T-dependent immune response, the anti-DNP-OVO reaginic production was found very low in Nude rats by comparison to their controls. The percentage of Ig-bearing cells in mesenteric lymph nodes was increased to about the double of those of the control. This percentage can be explained by the absence or at least the great depletion of the thymus derived lymphocytes. On the contrary, the Ig serum levels were rather normal and could correspond to T-independent antigenic stimulation and to membrane immunoglobulin shedding, at least for the IgE isotype.