Selective immunosuppression resulting from exposure to the carcinogenic congener of benzopyrene in B6C3F1 mice.

B6C3F1 mice were exposed to two congeners of benzopyrene, either the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) or the non-carcinogen benzo(e)pyrene (B(e)P. Exposure of mice to B(a)P resulted in a reduced number of IgM and IgG antibody plaque forming cells (PFC) to the T-dependent (TD) antigen SRBC and IgM PFC's to the T-independent (TI) antigen LPS. The IgM response to hapten conjugated TI antigens was examined using TNP-LPS for reactivity of less mature B cells (B1) and TNP-Ficoll for more mature B cells (B2). Exposure to B(a)P severely depressed the TNP-Ficoll PFC response by up to 77% without altering the TNP-LPS response. These data indicated that exposure to B(a)P alters differentiation and antibody production in mature B cells to both TD and B2 TI antigens. No change in PFC was observed following exposure to B(e)P. Mishell-Dutton co-cultures confirmed that B cells were affected and that T helper cells or suppressor Mphi were not involved. Parameters of cell-mediated immunocompetence including delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to KLH, allograft or tumour cell rejection and susceptibility to Listeria monocytogens were unaltered in B(a)P treated mice.