Abstract |
The role of complement and ionizing radiation in the natural resistance to Treponema pallidum infection of Albany guinea pigs was explored. Depletion of C3 by cobra venom factor for a period of 14 days affected neither the host's susceptibility to infection nor the humoral response. Total body irradiation with 420 or 800 R was fatal within 20-30 days and there was no multiplication of treponemes in the infected host. Animals showing lethal signs were euthanized and tissues removed for examination. Exposure to a nonlethal dose of 300 R increased the susceptibility to infection (46% symptomatic lesions) and facilitated multiplication of treponemes at the site of inoculation and in the lymphoid organs, but the humoral response was not different from that of non-irradiated controls. The results seem to suggest a defect in antigen recognition by the immunocompetent cells in the resistant Albany guinea pigs.
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Authors | K Wicher, V Wicher, A Jakubowski, W Bartholomew, S Nakeeb |
Journal | International archives of allergy and applied immunology
(Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol)
Vol. 86
Issue 1
Pg. 76-81
( 1988)
ISSN: 0020-5915 [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 3286521
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Complement C3
- Complement C4
- Elapid Venoms
- cobra venom factor
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Topics |
- Animals
- Complement C3
(deficiency, radiation effects)
- Complement C4
(analysis)
- Elapid Venoms
(therapeutic use)
- Guinea Pigs
- Immunity, Innate
- Male
- Syphilis
(immunology, therapy)
- Whole-Body Irradiation
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