DEXTRAN SULFATE - ADJUVANT FOR CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE-RESPONSES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (6) , 963-974
Abstract
The effect of high MW dextran sulfate (DS) on cell-mediated immune responses was studied. Three criteria were used to assess cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity: footpad swelling, i.d. [intradermal] skin testes and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) production. Guinea-pigs sensitized with egg albumin (EA) and treated with DS showed strong positive delayed skin tests. Control animals given only EA showed negative skin tests. Lymphocytes from mice sensitized s.c. with EA and treated with DS showed an increase in MIF production. Delayed footpad swelling responses in mice sensitized s.c. with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and treated with DS were increased when the mice were challenged 8 days after sensitization. Doses of DS which were effective in increasing delayed footpad swelling ranged from 50-200 mg DS/kg body wt. DS was only capable of increasing delayed footpad swelling responses when SRBC and DS were injected s.c. at the same site. Injection i.p. of SRBC and DS or injection of both s.c. but at different sites did not result in increased delayed footpad swelling. DS was capable of augmenting footpad swelling reponses when given s.c. as much as 6 days before SRBC. The optimal time for administration of DS was 2 days before SRBC. Injection of DS 2 days or more after SRBC resulted in no increase in delayed footpad swelling responses. Dextran sulfate is apparently a potent adjuvant for cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity immune responses in mice and guinea-pigs.