Effect of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine on Antibody Formation and DNA Synthesis in Rat Spleen

Abstract
5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine which is preferentially taken up by the lymphatic tissue and is in­ corporated into D NA strongly affects the ability of the immune system to synthesize IgG anti­ bodies against sheep red blood cells without affecting IgM antibody formation. A single dose of the drug results in a prolonged inhibition persisting 14 days after the secondary immunization. The inhibitory effect is dose-dependent and is maximal when 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine is given 2 days after sheep erythrocytes. The drug affects the utilization of thymidine for the synthesis of DNA in the spleen; under certain conditions the enhancement of the rate of DNA synthesis in the spleen has been observed.