STUDIES ON LEPROLIN REACTION

2. Studies on in Vitro Reaction between Peritoneal Cells of Guinea Pig and Leprolin or Tuberculin Antigens

Abstract

It was reported in the previous paper that the peritoneal cells of the guinea pigs sensitized either with tubercle bacilli or BCG possess the factor which reacts in common against Leprolin and Tuberculin.
This factor can also be recognized on the peritoneal cells of the rabbit sensitized with BCG. Introduction of the sensitized rabbit peritoneal cells into a normal cells guinea pig, however, did not result in the passive transfer of the reactivity against the above mentioned two antigens.
As for the in vitro reaction between peritoneal cells of BCG-sensitized guinea pig and Leprolin or Tuberculin, it was difficult to recognize distinctly the development of specific reaction or absorption by the sensitized cells against Leprolin or Tuberculin.
It was confirmed, however, that the peritoneal cells of the guinea pig, both sensitized and non-sensitized, combine Leprolin antigen in vitro. This combination was observed only with the peritoneal cells of the guinea pig and the cells previously heated at 48°C for 15 minutes failed to show this combination.
The Leprolin antigen combined to the cells appeared to be easily freed by the heating at 48°C for 15 minutes. In addition, when peritoneal cells of BCG-sensitized guinea pig combound Leprolin antigen, the common reaction factor of the sensitized cells was in-activated and failed to transfer the passive reactivity against not only Leprolin but also Tuberculin. While, Tuberculin antigen was confirmed to show no appreciable influence on the above mentioned factor of the sensitized cells.
The fact stated above is considered to be an important finding to explain the difficulty of the specific sensitization of the guinea pig with human leprosy bacilli.