Prevention of Delayed Foreign Marrow Reaction in Lethally Irradiated Mice by Early Administration of Methotrexate

Abstract

A MORTAL wasting disease occurs in lethally irradiated mice which have been engrafted with allogeneic marrow that is capable of reaction against host tissue antigens. The disease appears late, usually several weeks after exposure to radiation. Two components have been described: an early injury to the host, particularly to the lymphoid areas, by immunologically competent lymphoid cells contained in the marrow injection; and a delay in the restoration of the host's lymphoid centres which increases mortality by leaving the host vulnerable to infection and inter-current disease over a prolonged period¹.