Biomedical subjects

N Rassi

Publications and source records attributed to N Rassi.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1983

Lymphocyte abnormalities in the BB rat.

The BB rat has a marked T cell lymphocytopenia, with a near absence of peripheral "helper" T cells recognized by monoclonal antibody W3/25 (W3/25+ T cells). The lymphocytes of the BB rat's spleen and thymus were examined for the presence of W3/25+ T cells, which were found to be absent in the spleen but present in normal amounts in the thymus. Concanavalin A (Con A) responsiveness was absent in the BB's peripheral blood and spleen but present in the thymus. Thus, in these three lymphoid compartments, Con A responsiveness directly correlated with the presence or absence of W3/25+ T cells. These lymphocyte abnormalities in the BB rat are notably different from lymphocyte changes present in human type I diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

The BB diabetic rat. Profound T-cell lymphocytopenia.

Approximately 50% of Wistar "BB" rats spontaneously develop overt diabetes mellitus characterized by loss of beta-cells and "insulitis." To define abnormalities of immunoregulation in these rats, we quantitated their major circulating lymphocyte subsets. Independent of the development of diabetes, we found the BB rats to have a markedly increased percentage of circulating B lymphocytes which is secondary to a severe T-cell lymphocytes which is secondary to a severe T-cell lymphocytopenia, with the major circulating T-cell subset reacting with monoclonal antibody W3/25 markedly decreased. This lymphocytopenia is present in every animal studied and contrasted with studies of the nondiabetic Wistar strain from which the "BB" rats were developed.

Animals↗