Alterations in Antibody Response Induced by Chronic Inhalation of SO₂ and Carbon

Abstract

Mice were exposed to low concentrations of carbon, SO₂, and carbon plus SO₂ In an attempt to determine the effect of chronic exposures on the immunological defense mechanism. Carbon alone or in combination with SO₂ caused a progressive decrease in overall ability of the animals to form antibody. Reduction of antibody formation occurred in mice exposed to 2.00 ppm SO₂ for 192 days. An enhancement of antibody production occurred in mediastinal lymph nodes after 102 and 135 days of exposure, but this effect was being reversed by 192 days. An unexpected enhancement of antibody production, especially in the spleen, occurred in mice exposed to SO₂ alone for 135 days. This adjuvant activity had faded by 192 days, when an overall suppression of antibody response was seen, though not to the degree observed in the animals exposed to carbon.