Phenotype of lymphocytes mediating copolymer-specific humoral immunity in ethanol-consuming C57BL/6 mice.
Little is known about the mechanisms of impaired immune function in alcoholic patients. We have previously shown that ethanol consumption by mice alters copolymer-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Does ethanol consumption eliminate suppressor T cells, allowing nonresponder mice to make humoral immune responses to poly(Glu50Tyr50) (GT)? Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a nutritionally complete liquid diet containing 35% ethanol-derived calories for up to 33 days. Control mice were fed an isocaloric control liquid diet or remained on a solid diet and water. Mice fed the ethanol-containing diet made GT-specific plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses, whereas mice fed liquid control or solid diets did not. Lymphocytes from ethanol liquid diet-consuming mice helped splenocytes from either solid or liquid control mice to make a GT-specific PFC response. The cells mediating help were nylon wool nonadherent, CD4-bearing T cells. These findings suggest that ethanol does not eliminate copolymer-specific suppressor cells, but instead alters the functional capability of helper T cells for humoral immune responses.
Waltenbaugh
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Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.
Hsiung
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D000437:Alcoholism / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D002149:Energy Intake; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C027606:L-glutamic acid-L-tyrosine copolymer; D000431:Ethanol