Host-tumor antagonism. IX. The reticulo-endothelial system and neoplasia

The role of the reticuloendothelial system in mouse anaphylaxis as tested with homologous antibody-antigen complexes

Blockade of the RES was accomplished by the intravenous injection of carbon particles, thorotrast, zymosan, or a suspension of Bordetella pertussis. The blockade resulted in a decrease in sensitivity to anaphylaxis produced by the intravenous injection of soluble antigen-antibody complexes consisting of an optimal shocking mixture of bovine plasma albumin and mouse antibody to this antigen. The decrease in sensitivity to anaphylaxis was dependent on the dose of blockading agent and on the time between blockade and challenge with complex. The loss of sensitivity to anaphylaxis could not be restored by the administration of fresh serum from normal mice nor by guinea pig complement. Antigen-antibody complexes were rapidly removed from the blood with an average half-time of 11.9 minutes in normal mice. Complexes were cleared at significantly more rapid rates in mice previously sensitized to antigen. Although not all the results can be explained on the basis of blockade the facts indicate that the RES does play an important but as yet undefined role in passive homologous anaphylaxis in the mouse.

Effect of stimulation of the host defense system by coenzyme Q 10 on dibenzpyrene-induced tumors and infection with Friend leukemia virus in mice

Members of the coenzyme Q group increase the phagocytic activity in rats, as measured by the carbon clearance technique, and increase the hemolytic antibody formation in mice. In addition, prior treatment with low doses of chloroquine hydrochloride combined with coenzyme Q(10) results in increased numbers of survivors, prolonged survival time, and reduced parasitemia in blood-transferred Plasmodium berghei infection in miceIn an extension of these studies, using emulsions of coenzyme Q(10), I demonstrated the following effects on two tumor systems in mice: (i) Treatment with coenzyme Q(10) decreased splenomegaly and hepatomegaly and increased the number of surviving mice infected with Friend leukemia virus. (ii) Treatment with coenzyme Q(10) reduced the percentage of mice with tumors, increased the number of survivors, and reduced the tumor size in mice with tumors induced by 3,4,9,10-dibenzpyrene. The effect on both tumor systems was dose-dependent. These studies support the hypothesis that the host defense system plays a definitive role in the defense of the host against invasion by various agents, including neoplasia.