Crude cell wall (CCW), enzyme purified wall (PF), peptidoglycans (PEP), and teichoic acid fractions from two strains of Listeria monocytogenes (EGD and a human isolate) were analyzed by electron microscopy, chemical analyses, and various immunological assays. Electron microscopy and chemical analyses revealed that both strains were quite similar. The CCW, PF, and PEP fractions were mitogenic for mouse lymphocytes, could activate macrophages in vivo but not in vitro, and stimulated nonspecific immunity in vivo to Candida albicans. The PF and PEP fractions but not the CCW induced migration inhibition factor production. The CCW and PEP fractions were tested and found to elevate natural killer activity in vivo. Teichoic acid fractions had no activity in the above assays. Since most of the immunological activities were retained in the PEP fraction, we examined this fraction to determine the kinetics of the mitogenic response and the nature of the responding cell population. The peak mitogenic response occurred on day 2 over a 6-day period. This response was not enriched in T-cell-enriched populations but followed the pattern of LPS in B-cell-enriched populations. * Corresponding author. 170 sterile wire screen into 5 ml of cold tissue culture medium.

A purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the rickettsial agent of Q fever, Coxiella burnetii phase 1, possesses some of the in vivo and in vitro biological properties previously only associated with bacterial endotoxins. The Coxiella LPS is mitogenic for guinea pig leukocytes, induces non-specific resistance in mice to virulent Candida albicans, causes dermal Schwartzman reactions, and is positive by the limulus lysate assay.

The relatively recent introduction and use of an intravenous form of a vitamin E preparation (E-Ferol) has been associated with the development of an unusual syndrome and fatalities among low birth weight (<1,500 g), premature infants in neonatal intensive care units. We have observed an inhibitory effect by this vitamin E preparation on the in vitro response of human lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). E-Ferol suppressed the expected response to low doses of PHA. However, this suppression was not due to the α-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) component, because α-tocopherol acetate by itself was not inhibitory; in fact, it often enhanced the PHA response. Because a mixture of polysorbate 80 and polysorbate 20 is used as a carrier in E-Ferol, these components were also tested and were found to be responsible for the suppression, especially the polysorbate 80. Concurrent with this suppression of PHA-induced mitogenesis was a decrease in the percentage of T11 lymphocytes.

Plasma fractions and plasma dialysate from 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzeneand tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs that had been treated with either antilymphocytic serum or normal control serum were analyzed for their ability to transfer lymphocyte transformation, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, and macrophage migration inhibition, as well as delayed hypersensitivity in vivo. Antilymphocytic serum caused rapid release of material, which has characteristics of transfer factor, into the plasma. It was dialyzable, migrated electrophoretically with the alpha globulins and albumin, possessed a 280/260 (nm) optical density ratio of 0.7, and caused in vitro lymphocyte transformation in the presence of the specific antigen. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis antibodies were also present in the plasma of sensitive animals, but they were isolated in electrophoretic or dialysis fractions separate from those containing transfer activity.