Long-Term Adjuvant Effect of Bacterial Endotoxin in Prevention and Restoration of Radiation-Caused Immunosuppression

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Abstract
Endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exerts a long-term effect on the immune system. This effect is multi-phasic. Contingent upon the time interval between adjuvant application and immunogen injection, either enhancement or immunosuppressive effect could be observed. LPS given 2-4 or 10-16 days before sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immunogen significantly enhanced the immune response as measured by rosette formation (RFC). LPS given 7 or 8 days before SRBC was immunosuppressive. Based on this information, attempts were made to prevent or repair radiation-caused immunosuppression by using LPS at optimal time. LPS can minimize such damage. The application of LPS 3 days after irradiation was similarly effective in the repair of immunosuppression as measured by the RFC assay. LPS was less efficient but still useful in reducing the radiation-caused suppression of the number of plaque-forming cells.