Impaired immunity in vitamin A-deficient mice

J Nutr. 1987 May;117(5):857-65. doi: 10.1093/jn/117.5.857.

Abstract

Vitamin A deficiency was produced in mice and was used to investigate the role of vitamin A in immune function. Cellular immunity, as measured by delayed-type hypersensitivity, diminished in early deficiency before weight and appetite changes occurred and declined further as the deficiency progressed. Humoral immunity, as measured by serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) responses to a protein antigen (hemocyanin), also declined. The kinetics of antibody production were unaffected by the deficiency. The T-cell number remained unchanged, but B-cell and macrophage numbers were increased in vitamin A--deficient mice. Surface expression of membrane glycoproteins (Thy-1, Lyt-1, Lyt-2, L3T4, IgM, Mac-1) was unchanged by the deficiency, as were lymphocyte numbers and distribution. The results suggest that vitamin A deficiency is associated with a functional immune system defect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Avitaminosis / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • T-Lymphocytes / analysis
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology
  • Vitamin A / physiology*

Substances

  • Vitamin A