REGULATION OF IMMUNE-RESPONSE OF MICE TO HEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 34  (1) , 149-156
Abstract
The regulation of age-related antibody response to H. influenzae type b polysaccharide (HITB-PS) was studied by measuring the splenic plaque forming cells (PFC) following immunization with this capsular polysaccharide. The magnitude of PFC response to HITB-PS was dose-related, enhanced by Freund''s complete adjuvant and influenced by the genetic strain of mice. Priming with a low dose of HITB-PS did not induce a state of immunological unresponsiveness. Treatment with anti-lymphocyte serum significantly increased the PFC response to HITB-PS. Athymic nude mice showed an enhanced ability to induce Ig[immunoglobulin]G and IgA-PFC responses as well as a significant increase in the biosynthesis of protein and mitogenicity in spleen cells. The immune response to HITB-PS is probably regulated by the suppressor T [thymus-derived] cell. The magnitude of the IgM-PFC response induced by HITB-PS in mice increased gradually from 2 wk of age and reached a plateau at 8 wk. Treatment with fetuin resulted in the inhibition of direct IgM and IgG-PFC responses to HITB-PS; the suppressive effect on the immune response was more profound and lasting in young than in adult mice.