Impairment of Jones-Mote Hypersensitivity and Specific Antibody Response against Depolymerized Flagellin in Lepromatous Leprosy

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Abstract
Cutaneous hypersensitivity and antibody-producing capacity were assessed in patients with lepromatous leprosy with defective immunity by immunizing them with monomeric flagellin from Salmonella adelaide. Results were compared with those of controls, matched for age and sex, derived from similar socioeconomic stratum but without any defect of the immunological system. Normal individuals showed Jones-Mote type of hypersensitivity. No lepromatous patient could mount any delayed-in-time cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction against an intradermal challenge of monomeric flagellin. When immunized s.c., both groups could produce adequate amounts of specific serum antibody [Ab]. In addition to this unique split tolerance found in all lepromatous patients, some patients showed low levels of ''natural'' Ig[immunoglobulin]M, reduced formation of specific Ab when immunized s.c. and incomplete maturation of IgG class of anti-flagellin Ab. When immunized intradermally production of anti-flagellin Ab and maturation of IgG Ab was significantly inhibited in normal adults but not in lepromatous patients. B[bone marrow-derived]-cell hypofunction was detected in some patients.