Mice infected subcutaneously with 2 X 10(7) CFU of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG (BCG) were able to mount a specific DTH response, whereas mice infected intravenously with the same dose of microorganisms were not. The suppression turned out to be mediated by id+ anti-PPD B lymphocytes, which arose very early during the infectious process and induced anti-id B lymphocytes. These cells were found at Day 4 after infection and exerted their effect by activating antigen-specific suppressor T lymphocytes, which affected the efferent phase of the DTH response. These results clearly indicate that the activation of a complex immunosuppressive circuit represents a mechanism by which BCG may interfere with the host's immune response already during the very early phases of infection.
LYMPHOCYTES-B AND LYMPHOCYTES-T REGULATED BY IDIOTYPE ANTIIDIOTYPE INTERACTIONS INHIBIT DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY TO BCG IN MICE
CAMPA, MARIO;
1986-01-01
Abstract
Mice infected subcutaneously with 2 X 10(7) CFU of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG (BCG) were able to mount a specific DTH response, whereas mice infected intravenously with the same dose of microorganisms were not. The suppression turned out to be mediated by id+ anti-PPD B lymphocytes, which arose very early during the infectious process and induced anti-id B lymphocytes. These cells were found at Day 4 after infection and exerted their effect by activating antigen-specific suppressor T lymphocytes, which affected the efferent phase of the DTH response. These results clearly indicate that the activation of a complex immunosuppressive circuit represents a mechanism by which BCG may interfere with the host's immune response already during the very early phases of infection.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.