ENHANCEMENT OF SYSTEMIC IMMUNE-RESPONSE BY IMMUNIZATION INTO CHRONICALLY INFLAMED LUNGS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (1) , 61-69
Abstract
Rabbits with inflamed lungs develop a more potent systemic immune response when exposed to soluble antigens as an aerosol. The mechanisms of this phenomenon were studied using the Jerne plaque technique. Intrapulmonary immunization with soluble antigens (solubilized SRBC [sheep erythrocytes] and HSA [human serum albumin]) resulted in a greater PFC [plaque forming cell] response to both antigens when the lungs exhibited BCG-induced granulomatous inflammation. An enhanced PFC response in HLN [hilar lymph node] cells when antigens were introduced into inflamed lungs was not observed. When rabbits with BCG-inflamed lungs were immunized i.v., they did not develop an enhanced PFC response in the spleen. Immunization into the respiratory tract of normal rabbits with large doses (300 .mu.g) of soluble antigens also resulted in a substantial PFC response in the spleen that was quantitatively greater than that induced by the same i.v. dose. Administration of antigens into inflamed lung results in an enhanced systemic immune response. Large doses of soluble antigens instilled into normal lungs induce a greater systemic immune response than the same doses administered i.v. The study demonstrates the importance of pulmonary inflammation and the immune response to inhaled antigens and provides insight as to how humans with chronic inflammatory lung disease can react in an augmented fashion to environmental antigens.

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