Immunologic disturbances in mice born after induction of a graft versus host reaction in the mother

The immunologic status of mice born after induction of a graft versus host reaction in the mother was studied. Lymphocytopenia, delayed rejection of skin allografts, a decrease in natural resistance to experimental typhoid infection, and a decrease in the number of plaqueforming cells in the spleen after immunization of the mice with sheep's red blood cells and typhoid Vi antigen were found at the age of 1 month. At the age of 2–3 months, the same changes together with a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes were found only in mice with clinical features of runt disease. In the second year of life depression of the immune response to sheep's red blood cells and enhancement of the response to Vi antigen and a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes compared with the control were observed in the progeny. An increased concentration of immunoglobulins and transferrins was found in the blood serum and antierythrocytic autoantibodies were detected in some mice.