ULTRAVIOLET-LIGHT AND IMMUNITY TO COELENTERATE VENOM

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from sensitized persons proliferate in re sponse to naturally occurring (coelenterate) venoms, Ultraviolet expos ure decreases the proliferation, This decrease is widespread and also extends to responses against pathogens, mitogens, and endogenous prote ins, Ultraviolet exposure alters human immunity by many means, includi ng affecting circulating T-cells, Since venoms act by immunologic as w ell as toxic pathways, any abrogation of normal immunity could enhance their action on man.