1961, with the work of Jacques Miller WEHI found thymus is removed does not behave like animals, as usual, for skin grafts from other populations of mice produce rejection. This suggests that the thymus is a kind of rejection can regulate key cellular source of such phenomena, but the experiment has not been widely recognized. At that time, the researchers believe, is the only source of lymphocytes antibodies. However, immunologists do not know whether to produce antibodies and lymphocytes involved in graft rejection and how to associate lymphocytes.
Against this background, as a pediatrician and clinical immunologists, Cooper launched a series of clinical observations, which provide early clues to discover the existence of two types of lymphocytes. An X chromosome associated with the disease – Ivory Davis – Aldrich syndrome patients, will have serious, and immunodeficiency diseases associated herpesvirus. However, these people have a high level of antibodies. In contrast, people with hereditary immunodeficiency associated with the X chromosome gamma globulin deficiency boy can control the virus infection, despite their lack of antibody response. This indicates that the antibody-producing lymphocytes from the thymus and may produce transplant rejection lymphocytes may be two different types.
The key experiment
Cooper is one of the few found in the possession of the conclusions of this contradiction clues immunologist. He and Good decided to re-investigate the role played by the thymus capsule and the chicken cavity. Until then, organ removal studies on chicken there is a conflicting results. Cooper concluded that the reason why these differences occur because some of the chicken immune cells may then have to be removed before the organ. His solution was to remove the organ in one day after irradiation with hatching chicks, which would eliminate any cell before hatching chicken cavity or sac produced by the thymus. Thus, these chicks can reveal both the immune system in organ development role.
January 9, 1965, the findings in “Nature” magazine, causing widespread concern. After the balloon lumen and by no exposure to radiation is injected chicken bovine serum albumin or Brucella, no antibodies. Serum from these chicks complete lack of major antibody types. However, the thymus-dependent area completely normal splenic white pulp. This contrasts greatly vulnerable phenotype reminiscent of gamma globulin associated with the X chromosome deficiency patients.
The following year, Cooper and colleagues in an article published in the “Journal of Experimental Medicine,” an important paper expanded their groundbreaking research. They use capsule and irradiated chicken thymus free of cavities, clarified immune cells produced by these two organs has different functions. At the same time, they found that an antibody reaction requires from bursa of B cells, and T cells from the thymus is possible to regulate delayed-type hypersensitivity, graft vs. host rejection, and graft rejection.
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