Acute hepatotoxin exposure effects lymphoid and accessory cell types in inbred mice

The effect of acute hepatotoxin exposure on in vivo and in vitro immune responses were investigated in inbred mice. Splenic anti-SRBC PFC responses were slightly enhanced by carbon tetrachloride or galactosamine administration 5 hr prior to immunization. Whereas splenic anti-SRBC PFC responses were slightly enhanced in euthymic mice exposed to carbon tetrachloride 5 hr prior to immunization, immune responses to the TI antigens, Fl-LPS, Fl-Ficoll, and TNP-LPS, were significantly suppressed. Athymic mice receiving similar hepatotoxin exposure elicited enhanced immune responses to the TI immunogens, thereby suggesting that the activities of B cells and macrophages are enhanced in treated animals and in euthymic mice, T suppressor cells are also activated. By admixture of purified B- and T-cell and macrophage populations from either carbon tetrachloride-treated or control animals, it was demonstrated that hepatotoxin exposure also induces suppressor T cells regulating immune responses to the T-dependent antigen, SRBC, and that macrophages from treated animals are more functional. Further, B-cell responsiveness is enhanced. In addition to these observations, an active factor could be demonstrated in sera from hepatotoxin-treated animals which augments immune responses to SRBC in normal mice and promotes immune responses to this antigen in athymic mice. These findings indicate that the effects of acute hepatotoxin exposure are multifocal, influencing the activity of lymphoid and accessory cells.