CIRCULATORY CONTROL OF SPLENIC FUNCTION

The proposed research in experimental animals is designed to evaluate
alternatives to total splenectomy (including circulatory control, partial
splenectomy, omental autotransplantation, and chemical splenectomy) by
determining the relationship of splenic mass to hematologic and immune
function. Growth potential, the peripheral blood cell picture, the course
and surfival after intravenous virulent pneumococcal challenge with and
without prior complement depletion, and antibody response to intravenous
particulate antigen will be examined after removal, reduction, and
augumentation of splenic mass in rats and mice by a variety of methods.
The findings and mathematic models derived should help to guide the
development of therapeutic alternatives to total splenectomy which preserve
protective function of the spleen in trauma and hypersplenism yet prevent
recurrence of the hematologic disturbance in the latter syndrome.