The dose-dependent influence of mechloretamine on the response to sheep erythrocytes in mice. Comparison of immunostimulating properties of mechloretamine with levamisole.

The effect of the following doses of mechloretamine: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 micrograms/kg on the immunological response in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was investigated. The number of plaque forming cells (PFC) to SRBC, the serum hemagglutinins level and the number of lymphocytes forming E or EAC-rosettes were determined. Depending on mechloretamine dose the following effects on the tested parameters were obtained: (i) only stimulating--1 and 5 micrograms/kg, (ii) stimulating or suppressive according to the test--10-100 micrograms/kg, (iii) only suppressive--250 and 500 micrograms/kg. Mechloretamine (5 micrograms/kg) induced the increase in PFC in comparison with levamisole (2 mg/kg). The difference between the action of mechloretamine and levamisole used in immunostimulating doses on the increased anti-SRBC antibodies or on the E-rosette forming lymphocytes was revealed.