Immune response in aged mice exposed to lead.

Mice were exposed to 0, 13, or 1,300 ppm lead in drinking water for 18 months. The immunological assays examined were mitogen (lipopolysaccharide E. coli, concanavalin A, and phytohemagglutinin-P) stimulation of lymphocytes; erythrocyte-antibody (EA), erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC), and phagocytosis of macrophages; and EAC of splenic lymphocytes. As measured by the majority of these assays, the low dosage (13 ppm) of lead tended to stimulate certain immune responses (lymphocyte mitosis, EA, and EAC) while the high dosage (1,300 pm) did not provoke an appreciable alteration. The results were interpreted by comparing data on aged mice with data on young adult mice. It was apparent from this comparison that the aged mice were naturally immunosuppressed. Therefore, the results obtained from lead-exposed mice were unpredictable.