Effects of deoxycoformycin in mice. I.Suppression and enhancement of in vivo antibody responses to thymus-dependent and -independent antigens

H. Ratech, M. K. Bell, R. Hirschhorn, G. J. Thorbecke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF) on the PFC responses of AKR mice to SE, TNP-Ficoll, and TNP-B. abortus was examined. Subcutaneous injection of DCF 4 days before antigen caused suppression of all three responses by 70 to 78%. In contrast, injection of DCF 1 day after antigen caused enhancement of both the anti-SE and the anti-TNP-Ficoll responses. Although a single high dose of cortisone acetate injected 4 days before antigen caused a similar suppression, the effect of DCF was not mediated via a steroid release, inasmuch as DCF also suppressed the immune response in adrenalectomized mice. The response of BALB/c mice to TNP-Ficoll was also inhibited by DCF pretreatment and enhanced by injection of DCF after antigen. In contrast, in athymic mice DCF caused suppression of the anti-TNP-Ficoll PFC response, whether injected before or after antigen. These results are interpreted as suggesting that DCF causes suppression primarily via an effect on B cells. The enhancement seen in normal but not in athymic mice may possibly be ascribed to an effect on suppressor T cells. Apparently the enhancement of both TFD and TI responses caused by DCF injected 1 day after antigen in normal mice is the net result of these two opposing effects. The results imply that helper T cells are resistant to DCF.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3071-3076
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume132
Issue number6
StatePublished - 1984
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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