Lymphocytosis produced by heparin and other sulphated polysaccharides in mice and rats

• Published in: Cellular immunology Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 22 - 32
• Main Authors: Bradfield, John W.B., Born, Gustav V.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.10.1974
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Coagulation - drug effects; Chondroitin Sulfates - pharmacology; Dextrans - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glycosaminoglycans - pharmacology; Heparin - pharmacology; Heparitin Sulfate - pharmacology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kupffer Cells - drug effects; Kupffer Cells - immunology; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytosis - chemically induced; Male; Mice; Molecular Weight; Organophosphorus Compounds - pharmacology; Phagocytosis - drug effects; Polysaccharides - analysis; Polysaccharides, Bacterial - pharmacology; Protamines - pharmacology; Rats; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0008-8749; 1090-2163
• DOI: 10.1016/0008-8749(74)90165-8

Lymphocytosis has been produced in mice and rats using heparin and other sulphated polysaccharides. Two hours after heparin (50 mg/kg ip) the concentration of lymphocytes in mouse blood increased threefold; it fell to control levels after 9 hr. The height of the lymphocytosis was related to the dose of heparin injected. After intravenous heparin in rats there was a comparable lymphocytosis maximal 1 hr after injection. In mice other negatively charged sulphated polysaccharides also caused lymphocytoses, which were greater and occurred later with increase in molecular weight of the substance injected. Results in rats were similar. No lymphocytosis followed the injection of negatively charged phosphated dextrans, positively charged DEAE dextran, or neutral dextran. There was no correlation between the effect of these substances on lymphocytes and their effect on coagulation of blood, hepatic phagocytosis, or the immune response to sheep red blood cells.