In vivo and in vitro effects of gold salts on lymphocyte transformation responses and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

In vivo, gold salts have been shown to induce disease remission in rheumatoid arthritis. In some patients, this is associated with a return to normal of suppressed lymphocyte responses to mitogens and antigens. This study demonstrates that gold salts will suppress lymphocyte transformation in vitro but do not affect antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This suppression appears to be dose-related. In contrast to previous studies, evidence is provided to suggest that the suppression of lymphocyte responses by gold may at least in part be due to a direct toxic effect of myochrisine on the cultured cells.