Immunoregulatory Consequences of Vitamin Deficiencies on Background Plaque-Forming Cells in Rats

Abstract

Background hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) directed against three erythrocyte targets were measured in rats with three different, specific vitamin deficiencies: riboflavin, pyridoxine, and pantothenic acid, as well as in control rats. The numbers of background PFC were found to be elevated in all three vitamin-deficiency states compared with controls, whereas earlier studies showed that postimmunization PFC were markedly depressed in those deficiencies tested. The significance of these findings is discussed in terms of a possible loss of suppressor cells.