DOWN-REGULATION OF AN ESTABLISHED IMMUNE-RESPONSE VIA CHEMICAL CARCINOGEN OR UVB-ALTERED SKIN

The ability to produce antigen-specific down-regulation of an establis hed immune response was investigated in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (T NCB)-immune mice by delivery of antigen through chemical carcinogen- o r ultraviolet B (UVB)-treated skin. When TNCB-immune mice were treated on the dorsal trunk skin with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) f ollowed by TNCB there was an antigen-specific reduction in both contac t sensitivity and antibody production. Further, immune mice that recei ved spleen cells from naive syngeneic donors treated with DMBA followe d by TNCB also exhibited a reduction in both contact sensitivity and a ntibody production. Ln contrast, mice treated with UVB it-radiation fo llowed by TNCB had a reduction in contact sensitivity bur not antibody production. These results provide evidence that an ongoing immune res ponse can be manipulated by immunization through a modified skin immun e system. This may provide a beneficial approach for the treatment of autoimmune disease.