EFFECT OF NICKEL CHLORIDE ON MOUSE T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS

The study was carried out to observe the effect of nickel chloride (Ni Cl2) on T-lymphocyte subsets, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratios in vivo. BAL B/C mice were injected ip with NiCl2 every other day for 2 w. The NiCl 2 doses were 1, 3, 6, 9 or 12 mg/kg. Lymphocytes were obtained from mo use spleen and cultured in the presence of monoclonal antibody FITC co njugated, anti-CD4 or anti-CD8. Samples were determined with a flow cy tometer. A suppressive effect on CD4-positive cells was found in the 6 mg/kg group, but this subset was restored to the control level in the 9 and 12 mg/kg groups, suggesting that there was an ''immune toleranc e'' effect. No significant changes were found in CD8-positive cells an d CD4/CD8 ratios. The results suggested the NiCl2 had a deleterious ef fect on mouse T-lymphocytes in short-term in vivo exposure, but the ef fects may depend on the dose and cell subset.