[Effect of traxanox on antibody formation in BALB/c mice]

The production of spleen- and thymus-rosette forming cells (RFC) in BALB/c mice 4 days after immunization with 5 X 10(8) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was inhibited by traxanox at doses of 10-30 mg/kg, p.o. This agent (100 mg/kg, p.o.) suppressed the 19S hemagglutinin titer and elevated the 7S hemagglutinin titer. The transfer of spleen-RFC of thymus-RFC into syngeneic recipient mice 4 days after immunization with SRBC increased the production of spleen hemolytic plaque forming cells (HPFC). This increase was abolished by the transfer of spleen-RFC obtained from mice treated with traxanox (30 mg/kg, p.o.), but not by the transfer of spleen-RFC treated with anti-Lyt 2.2 antiserum and complement. The viability of the spleen-RFC in mice treated with traxanox was decreased by treatment with anti-Lyt 2.2 antiserum and complement. Traxanox (3-30 mg/kg, p.o) significantly increased the inhibition of HPFC, spleen-RFC and thymus-RFC production by Concanavalin A at a dose of 50 micrograms/mouse. This agent (3-30 mg/kg, p.o) inhibited the production of HPFC, spleen-RFC and thymus-RFC in mice 4 days after the secondary immunization. These results suggest that traxanox may inhibit antibody production via the induction of Lyt 2.2 positive cells (suppressor T cells).