In vivo nitrogen dioxide exposure depresses spleen cell in vitro mitogenic responses: effects of sulfur compounds.

The in vivo mitogenic responses to lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A by spleen cells of mice exposed to 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 96 hr, were evaluated. [3H]Thymidine incorporation after addition of either mitogen, was significantly lower in spleen cells from acutely NO2-exposed mice (NO2 SC) than from control mice, although cell viability was not affected. T- and B-cell mitogenic responses were inhibited to the same extent by NO2 exposure. NO2 SC responses were protected by the thiol compounds 2-mercaptoethanol, L-cysteine, and selenomethionine. No restoration of mitogenic response was observed after treatment with reduced glutathione. Mechanisms accounting for this in vivo NO2 immune toxicity, are discussed in terms of oxidative injury.