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Effect of X-Ray Lymphopenia on Contact Dermatitis: Failure of Whole-Body X-Irradiation to Inhibit the Delayed Hypersensitivity Challenge Response in the Guinea Pig

Journal Article · · Archives of Dermatology (U.S.)

It has been reponted previously that whole-body x irradiation specifically inhibits the allergic contact dermatitis reaction in sensitized guinea pigs, and this effect was correlated with x-ray-induced lymphopenia. Similar results have been reported using specific antilymphocyte antisera (which produces a far less profound lymphopenia). However, the present authors were unable to confirm that x-ray-induced lymphopenia specifically attenuates the allergic contact dermatitis reaction. Lymphopenia did not correlate with decreased allergic contact skin reactivity, and whole-body x irradiation over a wide range did not specifically inhibit the elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis, Thus, doses of 320 to 2500 r did not attenuate specifically the challenge response in dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-sensitized guinea pigs, although lymphocyte counts fell sharply. Unrelated to the degree of leukopenia, severely marasmic animals showed clear-cut inhibition of cutaneous reactivity. This was true whether the challenge was allergen (DNCB) or a primary irritant (croton oil). These conclusions were reinforced by parallel experiments using cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) as leukopenogen. The findings argue against the view that the antibody-like factor of delayed hypersensitivity remains fixed, until the last moment, to blood lymphocytes, but with the notion that a delayed hypersensitivity antibody-like material circulates in the serum of sensitized animals. (BBB)

Research Organization:
Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-18-015825
OSTI ID:
4078711
Journal Information:
Archives of Dermatology (U.S.), Journal Name: Archives of Dermatology (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 88; ISSN ARDEA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English