Transfer of delayed hypersensitivity in mice to microbial antigens with dialyzable transfer factor

Abstract

Dialyzable Lawrence-type transfer factor was prepared from the spleen cells of CF1 mice inoculated with Coccidioides immitisand Candida albicans-killed vaccines and with live Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine (BCG). These preparations were shown to transfer antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity to naive mice, as measured by the delayed skin test and footpad-swelling methods. Reactivity could be demonstrated when the test antigens were given 24 h after the transfer factor, but not when they were given simultaneously. Coccidioidesspecific transfer factor was shown to be sensitive to Pronase and resistant to trypsin and ribonuclease. A preparation of BCG transfer factor was sensitive to snake venom phosphodiesterase.

Transfer factor: a murine model

“…Very few previous studies have demonstrated transfer of DTH with TF in mice. Rifkind et al found that a TF-like substance prepared from spleen cells of CF1 mice was capable of transferring antigen-specific footpad responsiveness to recipient mice (19). They also confirmed Crowle's earlier work showing that footpad swelling is a valid indicator of DTH in mice (7,17).…”

“…These studies establish that a TF-like substance does exist in murine spleen cells, and that sensitivity to at least one microbial antigen can be transferred with this moiety. Biochemical characterization of this substance and its relation both to the material obtained by Rifkind et al (19) in a different inbred mouse strain and to human TF will be of interest. Further studies with other antigens will also be important.…”

“…More recent studies using cows (12), rats (15), dogs (21), and guinea pigs (3) have led to renewed interest in a subprimate model for the study of TF. Rifkind et al (19) have shown that a TF-like substance derived from murine spleen cells can transfer DTH as measured by footpad swelling. Our studies confirm the existence of a low-molecular-weight substance derived from murine spleen cells which is able to pass DTH to recipient mice; we further show that transfer is associated with the development of in vitro lymphocyte transformation to the antigen to which TF donors have been sensitized.…”

Transfer of Salmonella resistance and delayed hypersensitivity with murine-derived transfer factor

“…As previously noted, other investigators have demonstrated the specificity of various TF preparations in animal models (9,11,18,21,25). In this study we did not attempt to challenge the mice with other strains of Salmonella after TF administration to determine whether cross-protection existed.…”

“…Rifkind et al (21) have successfully transferred DH in mice to several fungal and bacterial antigens with murine-derived TF. The murine TF was found to be sensitive to the enzymes pronase and dimerized RNase A, but resistant to degradation by trypsin and monomeric RNase (20).…”