Motheaten, an immunodeficient mutant of the mouse. I. Genetics and pathology.

A new recessive mutation, motheaten (me), is on chromosome 6, 21.9 +/- 4.3 recombination units distal to white (Miwh). Mice homozygous for the new mutation have neutrophilic lesions of the skin beginning as early as day 1, and pneumonitis with many macrophages in the alveoli as early as day 3. They suffer high mortality from birth onward and none has survived longer than 8 weeks. The lymph nodes may be enlarged, but the thymus, Reyer's patches, and lymphatic tissue of the spleen are much reduced in size. Lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer's patches lack lymphatic nodules. The lymph nodes and spleen contain many plasma cells. There are increased numbers of neutrophils and monocytes in the peripheral blood, and increased numbers of neutrophils in bone marrow at the expense of red cell precursors. Hematopoietic tissue in the spleen is increased and appears more active than normal. Motheaten mice appear to have an immune deficiency beginning very shortly after birth.