STUDIES OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSION BY COBRA VENOM FACTOR .1. EARLY IGG AND IGM RESPONSES TO SHEEP ERYTHROCYTES AND DNP-PROTEIN CONJUGATES

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 121  (5) , 2043-2047
Abstract
The immunosuppressive activity of CVF [cobra venom factor] was evaluated in mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes and dinitrophenylated proteins. Serum antibody [Ab] levels to these immunogens were estimated in activity units and on a weight basis for Ig[immunoglobulin]G. IgM and IgG Ab responses were diminished in mice pretreated with CVF. When soluble immunogens were incorporated in CFA [complete Freund''s adjuvant] the suppressive effect associated with CVF was inapparent. C[complement] depletion per se may not fully account for the observed immunosuppression. The latter may result from the depression of C3 levels and from the biologic activities of C cleavage products some of which modulate the secretory functions and state of activation of macrophages.