Lymphocyte depletion induced by cholera toxin; relationship to adrenal cortical function.

Intravenous injection of cholera toxin (choleragen) into mice caused a profound lymphocytopenia associated with marked cellular depletion of the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus. After administration of 1 mu g of choleragen, lymphocytopenia was mot marked at 24 hr; recovery occurred 6 to 10 days later. Similarly depletion of lymph nodes and spleen was maximal at 24 hr with recovery by 14 days. Choleragen also caused a marked elevation of serum corticosterone and lymphocyte depletion was not observed in adrenalectomized mice. These results suggested that the lymphocytopenic effect of choleragen was mediated by increased production and secretion of adrenal cortical hormones secondary to a rise in intracellular cAMP induced by cholera toxin. The site of action of choleragen may be the adrenal cortex itself and/or the hypothalamic-pituitary system.