No abstract

The mycelial mass of the fungus Polyporus Squamosus strain 64 (PS-64) was disintegrated by mechanical and ultrasound treatments. After centrifugation, the supernatant containing the disintegrate was dialyzed and lyophilized. The resultant PS-64 extract was subsequently investigated as an immunomodulator of IgE and IgG responses to ovalbumin (OA) in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Multiple injections of PS-64 extract in doses of 1.5, 15, and 150 mg/kg administered before the primary or secondary immunization of mice with OA resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of both IgE and IgG antibody responses to OA. In contrast to the inhibition of the anti-OA IgE response noted during the entire 3-week observation period, the anti-OA IgG response was restored to control level by the third week of secondary immunization. The glass microfiber-based whole blood histamine release assay demonstrated that various concentrations of the PS-64 extract did not influence histamine release induced either by anti-IgE or by specific allergens from basophils derived from whole blood of allergen-sensitized patients. Using the hemolytic plaque assay, significant suppression of IgM-secreting cell formation was noted in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice administered various doses of the PS-64 extract before immunization. The PS-64 extract inhibited the in vitro proliferation of human mononuclear cells upon stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). In a dose-dependent manner, the PS-64 extract also inhibited delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and skin graft rejection, similar to the effect noted with usage of Cyclosporin A (CsA) in (CBAxC57BL/6)F1 mice. Our investigation suggests that the immunomodulatory effects of PS-64 should be studied further for potential clinical therapeutic utility.

No abstract

The dynamics of appearance of cells specifically reactive to brain antigen (SRC) in the regional lymph nodes and peripheral blood was studied in guinea pigs with experimental allergic pertussis encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the middle of the incubation period of EAE (the 6th-7th day) the largest number of SRC was found in the regional lymph nodes, and this was followed by a marked decline until the 9th day of sensitization, whereas the greatest number of SRC in the peripheral blood was observed at this time. In the period of clinically marked EAE (20th day) the number of SRC in the regional lymph nodes was increased, whereas the number in the peripheral blood was reduced. It is concluded that the SRC discovered may belong to the population of T-lymphocytes. KEY WORDS: allergic encephalomyelitis; specifically reactive cells.Convincing evidence has now been obtained that experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is due to the activity of sensitized lymphocytes [3, 10,12]. It has been shown, in particular, that T-cells are responsible for the development of EAE and of cellular immunity to the basic protein of myelin in sensitized animals [5, 10,15].