The effect of chorionic gonadotropin on the functional activity of some populations of splenocytes

Selective immunomodulating effects of high (50 IU/ml) and low (10 IU/ml) doses of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) on the functional activity of A cells and intact splenic T and В lymphocytes were revealed for the syngeneic transfer system. One- hour incubation of nonfractionated splenocytes with CG suppressed the formation of antibody-producing cells (APC) in le- thally irradiated syngeneic recipients. Removal of macrophages from the suspension of intact splenocytes arrested CG-induced immunosuppression and, in case of a low dose, activated the formation of APC. Addition of CG in a low dose to cell culture rich in В lymphocytes activated APC formation. A high dose of the hormone exerted no immunostimulating effect of this kind but selectively suppressed the function of T lymphocytes fractionated by fdtration through nylon fiber filters. Study of the functional activity of A cells by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence showed CG in the studied doses to suppress the generation of active oxygen forms, thus determining the key role of A cells as inducers of CG-dependent immunosuppression in a heterogeneous suspension of splenocytes.