[Interrelation of erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis in experimental infectious processes and in viral leukemogenesis].

Interrelation of erythropoiesis and immune response was studied in mice of various lines infected with mycoplasma species, Shigella flexneri 2a and Rauscher leukemia virus (R-MLV). Intensity of erythropoiesis was estimated by the endocolonization data of sublethally irradiated mice and 59Fe incorporation, while immune reactivity--by generation of splenic antibody-forming cells in response to immunization with sheep erythrocytes. The inverse correlation between the ability of infectious agents to enhance erythropoiesis and to depress immune reactivity was found. Enhanced state of erythropoiesis was observed with concomitant diminished immune response when R-MLV and M. arthritidis or S. flexneri 2a (strain 516) were used. There was a positive correlation between the ability of mycoplasmae and shigellae to activate erythropoiesis and their stimulatory effect on R-MLV reproduction tested by the spleen focus-forming units (SFFU) enumeration technique. Possible role of mononuclear phagocytes in the phenomena mentioned is discussed.