Inhibition of Lymphoid Cell DNA Synthesis by Metal Allergens at Various Concentrations

Abstract

Metal allergen concentrations inhibiting lymphoid cell DNA synthesis were tested on short-time cultured nonadherent and nonseparated thymic and splenic cells. With all tested metal allergens, the DNA-synthesis-inhibiting effect was more marked for nonadherent compared to nonseparated splenic cells. In thymocytes, a stronger inhibition of nonadherent cells was seen after addition of mercuric chloride. A protective or modifying role of adherent cells towards inhibiting or toxic effects of metal allergens in vitro is postulated.

Low-Level Methylmercury Exposure Causes Human T-Cells to Undergo Apoptosis: Evidence of Mitochondrial Dysfunction

“…To date, most studies have been performed on animal cells, and the results have been extrapolated to the human immune system. In this regard, a number of investigations have demonstrated that mercurials inhibit rodent lymphocyte proliferation and function in vitro (Dieter et al, 1983;Nakatsuru et al, 1985;Nordlind, 1983;Pelletier et al, 1987). Furthermore, Petruccioli et al (1990) reported that monkeys exposed to HgCl 2 manifested reduced levels of serum IgG and IgM.…”