The in vitro and in vivo effects of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) on murine lymphocyte subsets and Ia antigen expression.

1,1-Dimethylhydrazine or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) is a highly volatile and reactive compound used primarily as a liquid rocket propellant. Previous studies found UDMH to possess immunomodulatory activity similar to other hydrazine derivatives. Modulation of T lymphocyte subpopulations and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II or Ia antigen were evaluated as possible mechanisms for this UDMH-induced immunomodulation. Murine lymphoid cell populations were examined by flow cytometry for changes in their cell surface marker percentages or relative number upon exposure to UDMH either in vitro or in vivo. The results show UDMH caused significant suppression of the T helper cell population derived from the thymus at the 75 mg/kg dose in vivo, but did not affect other lymphocyte subpopulations isolated from mesenteric lymph node, spleen or thymus at this or any other dose. In vivo exposure of mice at all doses of UDMH did not significantly alter expression of Ia antigens on adherent cell populations and expression of the Ia antigen following in vitro UDMH exposure was not affected as well. Results indicate that the immunomodulatory effects of UDMH are not mediated by phenotypic alteration of T lymphocyte subpopulations or Ia antigen.