SUPPRESSION OF LOCAL GUT-ASSOCIATED AND SPLENIC MITOGEN RESPONSIVENESS OF LYMPHOID-CELLS FOLLOWING ORAL-EXPOSURE OF B6C3F1 MICE TO 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZ[A]ANTHRACENE

In these studies, the mitogen responsiveness of lymphocytes obtained from local gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) and the spleen were evaluated following a 5-day exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) at doses of 50 or 150 mg/kg. Phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responses were suppressed in all lymphoid tissues studied. However, the LPS response in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's Patches seemed to be the most sensitive indicator of immunotoxicity, indicating that B cells appear to be particularly sensitive to DMBA toxicity in the GALT. These studies demonstrate that both splenic tissues and GALT are important targets of immunotoxicity following oral administration of DMBA. Based upon these and past studies we conclude that the total administered dose of DMBA is a more important determinant of immunotoxicity than the length of exposure. © 1991.