RESUMEN
Forty-eight or 72 h after immunization with sheep red blood cells, CBA mice were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of methotrexate or vinblastine, 2.5 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg respectively, and then the number of direct plaque-forming cells in their spleen was estimated at 4-h intervals. The PFC growth curve showed an exponential and staircase pattern. After administration of both cytostatics, the PFC numbers in the spleen of mice changed in a wave-like fashion: the increase was accompanied by a decrease. In some parts of the curves obtained the PFC numbers increased or decreased 2 to 7 times within 4 hours. A marked increase in PFC numbers in the controls and in animals treated with both cytostatics occurred at 60, 72--76, 84--88 h of the immune response. It is suggested that methotrexate and vinblastine do not prevent recruitment of precursor cells into PFC and consequently the number of PFC increases. The decrease in PFC numbers under the influence of both cytostatics presumably results from "unbalanced growth".
Asunto(s)
Células Productoras de Anticuerpos/efectos de los fármacos , Metotrexato/farmacología , Vinblastina/farmacología , Animales , Células Productoras de Anticuerpos/citología , Recuento de Células , Eritrocitos/inmunología , Femenino , Cinética , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos CBA , Bazo/citologíaRESUMEN
The content of direct plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen of sheep erythrocytes immunized mice after a single administration to them of 2.5 mg/kg methotrexate on the 48th or 72nd hour of the immune response was measured. The PFC count was determined every 4 hours for 68 hours after introduction of methotrexate. In either of the cases the curve reflecting changes of the PFC count in the spleen was of an undulating nature. The alternating rises and falls of the PFC number proceeded at a high speed, viz. the time of doubling and half-periods of drop-off on individual lengths of the obtained curves was of the order of 2--4 hours. It is suggested that the PFC population accretion is ensured by a synchronous recruitment from the cells-precursors, antigen activated upon introduction of methotrexate. The decline in the number of PFC is, apparently, dependent upon their destruction due to an "unbalanced growth".