EFFECTS OF A GOLD SALT ON LYMPHOCYTE-RESPONSES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (2) , 357-364
Abstract
The effects of sodium aurothiomalate (SATM) on certain lymphocyte functions in vitro were tested. Lymphocytes were obtained from healthy donors and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SATM depressed 3H-thymidine uptake in lymphocyte cultures stimulated by phytohemagglutinin and in a mixed lymphocyte response assay. Cytotoxic effector cell generation assayed by percentage specific 51Cr release was also depressed by SATM using lymphocytes from healthy donors and from patients with RA. These effects imply that SATM inhibits exogenous thymidine uptake and blastogenesis. Gold salts may act in RA by interference with T[thymus-derived]-cell dependent functions.