"Nucleolar test" as a system for screening and analysis of immunosuppressive activity of chemical and biological agents.
The numbers and nucleolar activity of lymphocytes were followed in the control and SRBC-stimulated popliteal lymph nodes following administration of known immunosuppressive agents of different classes which were given in doses effective in the Jerne test and graft-versus-host reaction. Immunosuppressive agents had a non-selective effect on different lymphocyte populations (characterized by the activity of nucleolar RNA synthesis) in the control, antigen-untreated lymph nodes, but had a marked inhibitory effect on lymphocytes with compact nucleoli in the antigen-stimulated lymph nodes. This decrease is in good correlation with suppression of the Jerne haemolytic plaques and GVHR. The nucleolar test as a simple technique appears to be adequate for a rapid screening of immunosuppressive activity of the chemical and biological agents.
D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000494:pharmacology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012756:Sheep
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012313:RNA; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001379:Azathioprine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008727:Methotrexate