In Vitro Effects of Phytohemagglutinin and Brain Antigen on Cell Transfer of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Lewis Rats

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Abstract
Summary: In order to study further the role of lymphoid cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), lymph node cells from Lewis rats sensitized to nervous tissue-adjuvant were cultured under different conditions in vitro before their injection into recipient rats. Transfer of EAE was obtained consistently using 200 or 300 × 106 or more lymph node cells not cultured but directly injected into recipients. Culture of lymph node cells for 1 to 4 hr at 37°C diminished transfer capacity, more cells being required to obtain transfer results comparable to those with noncultured cells. Transfer activity of lymph node cells was not augmented by incubation with phytohemagglutinin. Incubation with brain antigen also did not increase activity but actually resulted in a marked decrease in transfer competence. These results are discussed in terms of mechanisms of EAE and immunologic functions of lymphoid cells.