Immunological effects of D-penicillamine during experimental induced inflammation in rats.
Administration of D-penicillamine (50 mg/kg/day orally) to rats with adjuvant arthritis for up to 42 days significantly modified the incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated lymph node cells. Treatment with D-penicillamine abolished the ability of macrophages from arthritic rats to inhibit lymphocyte responsiveness to Con A and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 14 days after the induction of the disease. Increased T-cell responsiveness to Con A was found from day 14 to 35 in cultures of unseparated and adherent-cell-depleted lymph node cells from D-penicillamine-treated arthritic rats. B-cell responsiveness to LPS was not affected. Experiments with bovine serum albumin gradient-separated lymph node cells confirmed these findings and indicated that treatment with D-penicillamine may specifically enhance T-helper cell responsiveness to Con A. It is suggested that administration of D-penicillamine may interfere with macrophage function during the course of an immunologically induced chronic inflammation, leading to an increased response of T-helper cells. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D003208:Concanavalin A; D010396:Penicillamine; D013936:Thymidine; D007213:Indomethacin