Immunologic effects of cocaine in prenatally exposed rats and mice.
The immunotoxicity of prenatal cocaine exposure was investigated using Sprague-Dawley rats and C57B1/6 mice. Pregnant animals were injected twice a day with cocaine or saline from gestation day 5 until the day before parturition. The immune system of the rat offspring was evaluated at 8 weeks of age by measuring the antibody response to SRBC (plaque assay and serum IgM), delayed-type hypersensitivity response to KLH, and lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and thymus using flow cytometry. The immune system of the mice offspring was evaluated at 4 weeks of age by measuring spleen cell proliferation in response to KLH, LPS, and alphaCD3 and IgG production to KLH. From the differences observed between cocaine exposed animals and controls, we conclude that prenatal cocaine exposure does not cause lasting detrimental effects on the immune system, but instead, may enhance B-cell responsiveness.
Bohn
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Department of Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA. abohn@vines.colostate.edu
Forsyth
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Kerkvliet
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Frank
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D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009294:Narcotics; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin; D003042:Cocaine