Effect of indomethacin on lymphocyte response to mitogens in puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis in the rat.

The mitogen response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin is depressed in rats with nephrotic syndrome induced by the administration of the aminonucleoside of puromycin. The mitogen response is normal after the administration of aminonucleoside of puromycin, but before the nephrotic syndrome develops. Nephrotic syndrome serum depresses the mitogen response of normal lymphocytes. This effect is attenuated by treatment of nephrotic rats with indomethacin, independently of any change in plasmas albumin concentration. Indomethacin in vitro has no effect. These studies suggest that the impaired response of nephrotic lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin is a secondary consequence of the nephrotic state, probably attributable, at least in part, to increased prostaglandin production in the nephrotic syndrome.