Evaluation of Mycobacterium leprae immunogenicity via adoptive transfer studies

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Abstract
The immune response of mice to live, heat-killed or autoclaved M. leprae was investigated. After sensitization with 107 organisms in each group, recipient mice were transfused with the sensitized splenocytes 28 days later. A selected number of these mice were infected with 5 .times. 103 M. leprae; the remaining animals were sacrificed at scheduled intervals for evidence of cell-mediated immunity to the M. leprae cell extract. Data from these and the bacteriological assays showed that all 3 materials induce cell-mediated immunity and extend protection against the M. leprae challenge but not against a Listeria monocytogenes challenge. Adoptive immunity against M. leprae was expressed equally effectively in non-irradiated animals and those sublethally (500 R) irradiated. Thus, after adoptive transfer of immunity, a bacillary restriction occurs with concomitant onset of delayed hypersensitivity; the protection observed could be specifically directed against an M. leprae challenge.