[Nonspecific non-reactivity in mice induced by joint administration of Newcastle disease virus and cyclophosphamide]

The immunomodulating effect of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was investigated in vitro and in vivo in mice. NDV was shown to induce a mitogenic effect in splenocytes in vitro. Combined injections of NDV and CP resulted in nonspecific suppression of immunoreactivity in mice. The antibody production and development of delayed type hypersensitivity to sheep erythrocytes were markedly reduced. Injections of NDV alone slightly increased the reactions. The NDV + CP injections led also to a reduction of immune response to thymus-independent antigen, LPS. Thus, the combined injections of NDV and CP led to nonspecific suppression of T and B cell immunity in mice. The mechanisms of this form of anergy require further study.