EFFECT OF T2 TOXIN ON THE SPONTANEOUS ANTIBODY-SECRETING CELLS AND OTHER NONLYMPHOID CELLS IN THE MURINE SPLEEN

The Fusarium secondary metabolite, T2 toxin was investigated for its effects upon spontaneous antibody-producing cells in the murine spleen. Changes in the number of non-lymphoid cells in the spleen were also studied. A statistically significant increase in the number of spontaneous antibody-secreting cells, as detected by the protein A plaque assay, was observed. A dose-dependent increase was found after chronic exposure to T2 toxin for 3 wk. An increased number of erythroblast cells was also found in the spleens of these animals. At all the T2 toxin concentrations studied, the mice showed a dose-dependent reduction in blood levels of haemoglobin. Reduction in the suppression of B cell growth and stimulation of B cells caused by erythropoiesis of activated macrophages could be responsible for the increase in antibody production.