Abstract
Summary
It has been established that endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exerts a long-term effect on the immune system. This effect is multi-phasic. Contingent upon the time interval between adjuvant application and immunogen injection, either enhancement or immunosuppressive effect could be observed. LPS given 2-4 or 10-16 days before sheep red blood cell (SRBC) immunogen significantly enhanced the immune response as measured by rosette formation (RFC). LPS given 7 or 8 days before SRBC was immunosuppressive.
Based on this information, attempts were made to prevent or repair radiation-caused immunosuppression by using LPS at optimal time. It was found that under such conditions LPS can minimize such damage. The application of LPS 3 days after irradiation was similarly effective in the repair of immuno-suppression as measured by the RFC assay. LPS was less efficient but still useful in reducing the radiation-caused suppression of the number of plaque forming cells (PFC).
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