title: Naturally occurring double-stranded RNA and immune responses. Effects on plaque-forming cells and antibody formation.
abstract: A highly purified preparation of double-stranded RNA, obtained from virus-like particles in Penicillium cultures, was found to affert humoral immune responses in mice differentially depending on its time of administration in realtion to antigen. Double-stranded RNA administered with antigen, or a few hours after antigen, produced a variable degree of enhancement of plaque-forming cell numbers or agglutinating antibody levels depending on the antigen involved. Administration of double-stranded RNA 24 hours before antigen invariably produced a suppressed response. In mice which were either specifically hyporesponsive (tolerant) or non-specifically hyporesponsive (due to age or immunosuppressive drugs) double-stranded RNA administered with antigen resulted in a nearly normal immune response.
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D012367:RNA, Viral; D002244:Carbon