Abstract
THE immunosuppressive effects of L-asparaginase show an unusual time-dependence. In mice immunized with sheep red cells, asparaginase strongly inhibited the development of haemolytic plaque-forming cells in the spleen if given at any time from 24 h before to 3 h after administration of antigen; administration earlier or later was less effective, and even massive doses (5,000 IU/mouse or 250,000 IU/kg) had no significant effect if given 2 days after the antigen1. These experiments suggested, therefore, that asparaginase did not exert its immunosuppressive effects by interfering with the rapid proliferation of immunocytes which is at its peak 2–3 days after the administration of antigen.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berenbaum, M. C., Nature, 225, 550 (1970).
Berenbaum, M. C., Ginsburg, H., and Gilbert, D. M., Nature, 227, 1146 (1970).
Berenbaum, M. C., and Stringer, I. M., Immunology, 18, 85 (1970).
Young, I., and Friedman, H., in Germinal Centres in Immune Responses (edit. by Cottier, H.), 102 (Springer, Berlin, 1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BERENBAUM, M., BONDURANT, S. Effect of L-Asparaginase on Germinal Centre Haemolysin. Nature 231, 318–319 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/231318a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/231318a0
- Springer Nature Limited