Selective effects of immunosuppressive agents against the delayed hypersensitivity response and humoral response to sheep red blood cells in mice.

The effects of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, procarbazine, and azathioprine on the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response and antibody response to sheep red-blood cells were studied in mice. All the compounds inhibited the antibody response. Using appropriate dosage schedules, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and procarbazine either potentiated or had no effect on DTH. In contrast, azathioprine inhibited the DTH response as measured 24 h after challenge but potentiated the DTH response measured 48 h after challenge. This system provides a convenient means of searching for drugs with selective effects on either DTH or antibody production.