Combined Analyses of Heterogeneous Immunotoxicology Studies Using Functional T Cell-Dependent Antibody Response Tests

Perspectives in Experimental and Clinical Immunotoxicology. 2007;1:61-76

Abstract: The primary T-cell dependent antibody response (TDAR) to antigens is widely used as a functional test in immunotoxicology. TDAR measures the ability of the host species to mount a specific antibody (IgM and/or IgG) response to an antigen in the face of treatment with a suspect immunotoxicant. Most commonly used TDAR assays apply immunizations of animals with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as antigens. Animal antibody responses to SRBC may be measured using either Plaque Forming Cell (PFC) assay or ELISA method while antibodies against KLH are typically measured by ELISA. The purpose of this study was to perform statistical analyses to compare data from optimized TDAR test protocols in multiple laboratories using Sprague-Dawley or Wistar-Han rats following a single immunization with SRBC or KLH by different routes of injection. The results of the comparative analyses demonstrated that the two antigens, the three assay formats (SRBC PFC, SRBC ELISA or KLH ELISA) and two routes (intravenous and subcutaneous) of immunizations evoked robust antibody production and showed the same pattern of response to strong immunosuppressive drugs. These results indicate that multiple protocols using different antigens and assay formats performed similarly in the evaluation of predicted suppressive effects on immune function.

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