Influence of D-penicillamine on the immune response of mice.

Studies on the influence of D-ss, ss-dimethylcystein (D-penicillamine, Metalcaptase-R) on the primary immune response of mice after immunization with sheep red blood cells show, that D-penicillamine up to doses of 20 mg/kg has no effect on the synthesis of hemagglutinating antibodies. Plaque forming cells in the spleen were not significantly reduced after administration of 80 mg/kg. A striking inhibition of the formation of immune rosettes is demonstrated. 80 mg/kg led to a significant reduction of rosette forming B-lymphocytes in the spleen.