INFLUENCE OF OXISURAN, A DIFFERENTIAL INHIBITOR OF CELL-MEDIATED HYPERSENSITIVITY, ON ALLOGRAFT SURVIVAL AND HUMORAL IMMUNITY

Abstract

SUMMARY Oxisuran, 2-[(methylsulfinyl)acetyl]pyridine, has been shown to suppress allograft rejection in mice, rats, and dogs. Unlike 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine, oxisuran does not concomitantly suppress humoral antibody production in mice or dogs. The compound is less active in the dog than in the rat, a finding consistent with the different metabolic pathways found in these two species. The toxicology of oxisuran and implications for mechanism of action are discussed.