RE-EVALUATION OF ROLE OF MACROPHAGES IN CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (3) , 423-432
Abstract
Administration of a single dose of 1 mg carrageenan to mice caused a temporary blockade of hepatic phagocytosis of 51Cr-labeled sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and a prolonged reduction in the number of splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) against SRBC. The in vitro responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and SRBC were also suppressed, whereas the response to the T [thymus-derived] cell-independent antigen DNP[dinitrophenylated]-Ficoll was not affected. Other in vitro experiments showed that responses of normal cells can be actively suppressed by macrophages from carrageenan-treated mice. The possible mechanisms of this suppression are discussed.