d‐Penicillamine in Vivo Enhances Lymphocyte DN A Synthesis: Role of Macrophages

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Abstract
Administration of D-penicillamine (50 mg/kg per day orally) for 4 days increased uptake of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) in unstimulated and concanavalin-A-stimulated unseparated lymph node and spleen cells from Lewis rats. Increased 3H-TdR incorporation was also found in cultures depleted of adherent cells. D-Penicillamine treatment did not increase the incorporation of 3H-TdR in lymph node and spleen cells from rats concomitantly treated with the selective macrophage toxin silica. Treatment with D-penicillamine during the last 4 days of silica treatment sometimes resulted in marked decrease in 3H-TdR incorporation. D-Penicillamine treatment in vivo is apparently able to enhance responsiveness of the lymphocytes, dependent on the presence of functionally intact macrophages. The increased response vanished after 2-3 wk, even with continuous administration of D-penicillamine.