Role of bone marrow and thymus secretory protein in maintaining immune homeostasis and haemopoiesis in control and malnourished mice.

ABSTRACT

Injection of Salmonella typhi 'H' antigen was observed to produce a differential effect on bone marrow and thymus secretory profile depending upon the nutritional status of the host. The paracrine effect of Thy F1 (thymus fraction 1) was more significant (P < 0.01) than the autocrine effect of BIM (Bone marrow immunomodulator) in malnourished mice. BIM moreover, also had a paracrine effect on thymus irrespective of the nutritional status of the host. An improvement in neutrophil population (P < 0.01) and phagocytic myeloperoxidase activity (P < 0.01) was observed in BIM treated malnourished immuno-suppressed mice, whereas no appreciable change was observed by Thy F1. However, Thy F1 irrespective of the nutritional status of the host improved large lymphocyte population in circulation (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that both bone marrow and thymus play a major role in haemopoietic microenvironment of BDF (basal diet fed) control and malnourished mice.