Influence of palmitic acid on mouse lymphocyte function in vivo and in vitro

The effect of palmitic acid on the immune response of mice to sheep erythrocytes was studied. It was found to increase the number of background plaques in normal mice but it had no significant effect on primed cells. When given with antigen it functioned as a weak adjuvant but it had no effect on response of mouse lymphocytes to the mitogens phytohemagglutinin or bacterial lipopolysaccharide. While it is clear that palmitic acid does not have a profound effect on lymphocyte reactivity, it may have a subtle modulating influence on the immune system.