Human immunosuppression induced by sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venom.
Large intradermal injections of crude sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) venom in normal saline produced immunosuppression in a healthy human adult male. This response persisted several days and was homologous against that coelenterate antigen but also heterologous against antigens contained within vaccinia and herpes simplex viruses and tetanus bacillus. This down-regulation of immunity was probably mediated by cells with functional properties of suppressor cells and could be reversed by indomethacin suggesting a role for prostaglandins. This result suggests the possibility that naturally occurring environmental agents, other than sunlight, may influence the human immune response.
Wachsman
M
M
Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Aurelian
L
L
Burnett
J W
JW
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D011453:Prostaglandins