Studies on hepatic uptake of antigen. II. The effect of hepatotoxins on the immune response.

Using the previously described animal model in which the effect of hepatic uptake of SRBC injected into the rat portal venous system was studied, the effect of two hepatotoxins—carbon tetrachloride and D-galactosamine—is described. Carbon tetrachloride results in an enhanced primary immune response to SRBC injection and the abolition of the difference in immune response to repeated injections via the portal vein and inferior vena cava. Radioactive labelling of SRBC shows that the enhanced primary response is accompanied by a significant reduction of hepatic uptake. No significant increase in splenic uptake was noted. In contrast, the production of galactosamine hepatitis did not affect the immune response to SRBC. These findings are considered in the light of the pathogenesis of the hyperglobulinaemia which is associated with liver disease.