Regulation of the immune system by synthetic polynucleotides. VI. Amplification of the immune response in young and aging mice

Model systems for study of the action of adjuvants in immunodeficient states were developed in 10 to 14 day old BALB/aj mice and aging BALB/aj mice (12 to 16 mth). With sheep red blood cells as antigen polyadenylic polyuridylic polyuridylic acid complexes (poly A:U) were found to be stimulatory in both the neonatal and aging mice. The effect of poly A:U was similar to that seen when 5 x 10⁶ 10⁶ thymocytes from immunologically mature mice were given with antigen. Cell free supernatant fluids induced by incubation of poly A:U with thymocytes likewise were capable of restoring the number of antibody forming cells to normalcy in aging mice.