K. Phillips, A. Munson
Aug 1, 1997
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0
Influential Citations
7
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Quality indicators
Journal
Toxicology and applied pharmacology
Abstract
2',3'-Dideoxyinosine (ddI) is a purine nucleoside analog currently being used for the treatment of HIV-positive individuals and patients with AIDS. Preliminary immunotoxicity studies have shown that a consequence of ddI treatment in female B6C3F1 mice is the inhibition of the humoral immune response. This effect was dose dependent in a range of 100 to 1000 mg/kg with a no observed adverse effect level of less than 100 mg/kg for a 28-day treatment period. These studies were undertaken to investigate the immune cell target of ddI and to determine the mechanism of this toxicity. B6C3F1 mice were treated with 1000 mg/kg/day by oral gavage for 28 days. The B lymphocyte was identified as the cellular target of ddI through separation-reconstitution experiments of the adherent and nonadherent cell populations and of the T and B lymphocyte populations. These studies revealed a deficit in the ability of the nonadherent cells from ddI-treated mice to mount a normal antibody response to sRBC. A further separation of the nonadherent cells into T and B cells revealed a decreased ability of ddI-treated B cells to develop specific humoral immunity. Additional studies were undertaken to determine the mechanism by which ddI is affecting the B cell. Surface marker analysis of splenocytes revealed no difference in the cell populations between vehicle- and ddI-treated mice. B cell proliferation was also unaffected as shown by incubation with either a polyclonal stimulator, lipopolysaccharide, or anti-IgM plus IL-4. These results indicate that the primary cellular target of ddI is the B lymphocyte.