Mechanisms of dialkyltin induced immunopathology.

In this report the immunotoxic effects of dialkyltin compounds are reviewed. In rats they induce lymphocyte depletion in the thymus and the thymus dependent areas of the peripheral lymphoid organs, without signs of a generalized toxicity. As a consequence of their selective lymphocytotoxic action they cause immunosuppression, especially of the cell mediated immunity. Various mechanisms are discussed that may be involved in the selective effect on the thymus, indirectly through changes in endocrine control or the reticular epithelial cells, and directly on the intrathymic rapidly dividing cells. It is suggested that the immunotoxicity of dialkyltin compounds is related to their affinity for dithiol groups, resulting in a disturbance of cell energetics as well as in cell proliferation.