Tin salts prevent the plasma cell response to metallic tin in Lewis rats

Inoculation of metallic tin powder produced marked proliferation of plasma cells and Russell body cells in draining lymph nodes. Prior, but not concurrent, administration of a soluble tin salt in the drinking water prevented the plasma cell hyperplasia. Various Na, Zn, Ag, and Cu salts were not inhibitory. The inhibitory effect of tin salts was detected as long as 2 months after the pretreatment was stopped. If the plasma cell response to metallic tin were due to an immunologic reaction, then the inhibition by a soluble tin salt may be a form of immunologic tolerance.