EFFECTS OF THIOL MOIETY OF LEVAMISOLE ON BOTH CELLULAR AND HUMORAL IMMUNITY DURING EARLY RESPONSE TO A HAPTEN-CARRIER COMPLEX

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (3) , 419-422
Abstract
Cell-mediated reactions to the carrier and antibody-mediated reactions to the hapten were studied in guinea pigs treated with a single i.v. injection of the thiol moiety of levamisole (DTC), before or after immunization with a hapten-carrier complex. A heavy dose of DTC induced delayed hypersensitivity reactions to the carrier and decreased antibody synthesis to the hapten. With a small dose of DTC no delayed hypersensitivity could be induced, but antibody synthesis to the hapten was depressed or enhanced, depending upon whether the injection was done before or after immunization. The mechanisms whereby DTC modulated the immune response are discussed.