Alteration in antibody response induced by carbon inhalation: a model system.

The immune response in mice to antigens given by intraperitoneal, intravenous, and inhalation routes was compared in control and carbon-dust exposed mice. The most pronounced effect, a decrease in antibody-forming cells and serum agglutinin titers, was observed when the carbon-treated animals were immunized with antigens in the form of aerosol. Similar results were obtained when the antigens were administered by intravenous or intraperitoneal route. In contrast 4-days of pre-exposure to carbon dust increased the number of antibody-forming cells in the mediastinal lymph nodes. However, this effect was transient and was not significant when the carbon pre-exposure was continued for 15 days.