The Journal of Immunology, Vol 126, Issue 3 861-864, Copyright © 1981 by American Association of Immunologists

ARTICLES

Inhibition of murine plaque-forming cell responses in vivo by ribavirin

DL Peavy, CN Powers and V Knight

The effects of ribavirin, a potent inhibitor of RNA and DNA virus replication, on the generation of primary plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in vivo has been investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of ribavirin 1 day after immunization of C3H/HeJ mice with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) suppressed splenic IgM and IgG PFC responses by 60 to 90%. Primary IgM PFC responses of C3HeB/FeJ mice to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a T-independent antigen, were also inhibited to a similar extent. Inhibition of splenic PFC responses, without significant reduction in nucleated cell recoveries, was dose dependent between 0.5 and 4 mg ribavirin. Varying the time of treatment determined that optimal inhibitory activity occurred when ribavirin was administered simultaneously or 1 day after antigen. Kinetic analysis of PFC responses in ribavirin-treated mice revealed that suppression did not result from a delay in development since reduced numbers of PFC were found at all times after immunization. Ribavirin-treatment after primary sensitization in vivo also impaired the capacity of spleen cells to develop secondary PFC responses in vitro, indicating that ribavirin also inhibited memory cell generation.

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				R. C. Tam, C. Lim, J. Bard, and B. Pai Contact Hypersensitivity Responses Following Ribavirin Treatment In Vivo Are Influenced by Type 1 Cytokine Polarization, Regulation of IL-10 Expression, and Costimulatory Signaling J. Immunol., October 1, 1999; 163(7): 3709 - 3717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]