Immunobiological Studies in Mice Treated with Chemical Carcinogen, 3-Methylcholanthrene: I. Footpad Swelling Reaction and Antibody Titer in Serum

발암제(發癌劑) 3-Methylcholanthrene 투여(投與) 마우스에 대(對)한 면역생물학적(免疫生物學的) 연구(硏究): I. 족척종창반응(足蹠腫脹反應) 및 혈중항체가(血中抗體價)

Experiments were performed on mice to investigate the effects of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA) on Arthus reaction, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and antibody production to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Mice were sensitized iv with 0.1ml of 1% SRBC suspension were treated with a single ip injection of olive oil alone or with different doses of MCA in oil (0.5~50mg/Kg) at various time before (-) or after (+) sensitization (day 0) and were challenged at 4 days after SRBC. Arthus reaction was measured at 3 hours after challenge and other responses at 24 hours. Treatment with MCA inhibited Arthus reaction and DTH to SRBC, measured by footpad swelling reaction, and this immunosuppressing effect was dependent on the dose and time of MCA treatment in relation to SRBC sensitization. Humoral immune responses as measured by serum hemagglutinin-and hemolysin-titers to SRBC were significantly depressed when MCA was injected before or at the same time of sensitization. However, the response was slightly depressed when injected after SRBC. These results indicate that MCA suppress the function of the cells involved in immune responses.