A Simple Technique of Testing for the Influence of Metal Salts and Other Chemicals on Macrophages and Thymocytes in vitro

Abstract

The spleen fragment test, originally used for estimation of factors of cell mediated immunity, was used to assess the relative toxicity of various metal salts and other chemicals on macrophages in vitro. The inhibition of macrophage migration from spleen fragments of guinea pigs was measured as a functional parameter for the toxic effects. Concentration response curves and the molar concentration that yielded a 50% inhibition of the macrophage migration (EC₅₀) were determined. The EC₅₀ values of the examined metal salts ranged from 1.7 × 10^-5 M for Na₂SeO₃ to 1.3 x 10^-2 M for MnCl₂ and indicated that the relative toxicity was Na₂SeO₃ > K₂Cr₂O₇ > CdCl₂ > HgCl₂ > NiCl₂ > CrCl₃ > MnCl₂. Other investigations dealt with the interaction of Na₂SeO₃ and HgCl₂ on macrophages in vitro. Corresponding to the spleen fragment test thymus fragments from mice and rats were used for the study of the influence of organotin compounds and prednisolone on the thymocyte migration in vitro.