Murine thymocyte proliferation, maturation and emigration in response to selenium.
Systemic (intraperitoneal) administration of sodium selenite (CAS 26970-82-1, Se) for 7 subsequent days (0.1 or 0.2 micrograms Se daily per 20 g of body weight; these concentrations were calculated from recommendations in human medicine) into BALB/c-mice could be shown to induce thymocyte proliferation and maturation. The increase in thymocyte numbers per mg organ weight was most pronounced after administration of the higher Se concentration. Determination of thymic lymphatic subsets revealed considerable up-regulations of mature T-cells expressing helper/inducer (L3T4) phenotype and immature cells expressing both (L3T4/Lyt-2) antigens. Thus, administration of Se (0.2 micrograms per mouse for a defined period) accelerated murine thymocyte proliferation and maturation. Counts of BALB/c-mice peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) revealed statistically significant increases after Se administration. The determination of activated PBL expressing interleukin (IL)-2 receptors proved that administration of Se induced a potent immunostimulation since these cells were significantly enhanced.
Stoffel
B
B
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Germany.
Krämer
K
K
Beuth
J
J
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018038:Sodium Selenite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018038:Sodium Selenite