A re-evaluation of the role of macrophages in carrageenan-induced immunosuppression.
Administration of a single dose of 1 mg carrageenan to mice cause a temporary blockade of hepatic phagocytosis of 51Cr-labelled sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and a prolonged reduction in the number of splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) against SRBC. The in vitro responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and SRBC were also suppressed, whereas the response to the T cell-independent antigen DNP-Ficoll was not affected. Other in vitro experiments have shown that responses of normal cells can be actively suppressed by macrophages from carrageenan-treated mice and the possible mechanisms of this suppression are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D008934:Mitogens; D002351:Carrageenan