Functional characterization of mononuclear cells of normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Cholesterol-fed rabbits are more susceptible to respiratory and skin infections, and show a higher index of mortality than rabbits given a normal diet. Several tests were employed to estimate the proportion of T and B lymphocytes (L-T and L-B) and aspects of their physiology in rabbits with hypercholesterolemia. The proportion of L-T and L-B in hypercholesterolemic rabbits (HChR) was found to be similar to that of normal rabbits (NR). The proliferative response of mononuclear cells (MNC) from peripheral blood stimulated with mitogens in HChR decreased during the first ten days of the cholesterol rich-diet, being variable afterwards. The addition of HChR serum to the culture media decreased the proliferative response of MNC isolated from both HChR and NR and stimulated by Con A and PWM. A similar antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) antigens was found in HChR and NR.