D-penicillamine, lymphocytes, and macrophages: an account of experimental investigations in vivo.
A short oral treatment with D-penicillamine of normal rats increased responsiveness of spleen and lymph node lymphocytes to concanavalin A, depending on the presence of functionally intact macrophages. This effect vanished after 2 to 3 wk despite continued treatment. In adjuvant arthritic rats, a suppressed response of lymph node lymphocytes occurs concomitantly with the development of the secondary lesion. This inhibition caused by suppressive macrophage activity was abolished by D-penicillamine treatment, which enhanced T helper cell function. This effect disappeared when permanent crippling developed with residual minimal inflammatory reaction. These findings may give further insight into the drug's effects and side effects.
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D003208:Concanavalin A; D010396:Penicillamine; D013936:Thymidine