The Immunologic Responses of the North American Opossum (Didelphys Virginiana)

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Abstract
Summary: An investigation of the immune capabilities of the adult opossum (Didelphys virginiana) was undertaken with a view toward using the pouch young of this animal in the study of acquired tolerance. In comparison to conventional laboratory animals, opossums showed comparable humoral responses to particulate antigens, but very poor responses to soluble antigens. In addition, the delayed hypersensitivity response of these animals was found to be weak and only transiently present. The humoral response to both types of antigens was of a biphasic nature in that both heavy weight, mercaptoethanol-sensitive and light weight, mercaptoethanol-resistant antibodies were produced. The conversion of macroglobulins to lighter globulins occurred at a somewhat later time (3 to 4 weeks) than in other mammals under normal stimulation, but much earlier under hyperstimulation. Antigen clearance studies indicated that the afferent limb of the humoral response was intact, but that either the central or efferent limb was weak. Histologic, passive transfer, and cell migration inhibition studies on the various delayed hypersensitivity manifestations indicated that a similar weakness in the effector mechanism existed, but that the sensitization or afferent limb appeared to be normal.

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