Use of Mishell-Dutton culture for the detection of the immunosuppressive effect of iron-containing compounds

Mishell-Dutton culture, known as an in vitro model for the evaluation of the humoral immune response of mice spleen cells to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), was used to study the immunosuppressive effect of iron-containing compounds. This response was indicated by the number of antibody forming cell (AFC) per million nucleated cells. Ferrous sulfate and ferric citrate (0.1 mM), when continuously present in Mishell-Dutton culture, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response by approximately 63% and 86% of the control values, respectively. Ferric citrate, preincubated (24 h) with spleen cells and followed by lavage, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response by approximately 54% of the control values. Primary and iron-treated coal, in concentrations ranging from 40 micrograms.ml-1 to 120 micrograms.ml-1, significantly decreased the SRBC AFC response when continuously present in Mishell-Dutton culture. Iron-treated coal, suppressed this response, in dose-dependent amounts, to a greater extent than did the primary coal:73% versus 54% at 120 micrograms.ml-1. We concluded that Mishell-Dutton culture is suitable for studying the immunotoxicity of iron and these results may contribute to explain a decrease of host resistance against parasitic and bacterial infection in workers exposed to iron.