Sensitivity of mouse lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs to Silesian air pollutants

The toxic effect of Silesian air pollutants to mouse organs was examined. Histological changes were found in the examined lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen) as well nonlymphoid organs (liver, kidneys), The alterations in weight indexes of lymphoid organs were also observed. Considerable changes in cellularity, weight index, and histology of the thymus in the mice exposed to air pollutants suggest the atrophy of this organ, which may lead to extrathymic T-cell differentiation and even acceleration of thymocytes maturation, which may lead to certain allergic or autoimmune processes. The results suggest the sensitivity to Silesian air pollutants of all investigated mouse organs in the following order: thymus, liver, kidneys, and spleen. (C) 1997 Academic Press.