Haematological and immunological response of calves to infection withTaenia saginata

Summary Calves were infected with eggs ofTaenia saginata and the haematologic response and the antigen-induced responsiveness of their peripheral blood lymphocytes was followed. No changes were observed in the erythrocyte levels, but a leukocytosis developed. This was contributed to primarily by a lymphocytosis, but also by an eosinophilia. Antigen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis measured the antigen-sensitive cell population in peripheral blood and this population showed a maximum increase at 11 and 32 days after infection, however, antigen-sensitive cells remained at above normal levels for the remaider of the infection.Ten weeks after infection 11 calves were treated with albendazole at 50 mg/kg. Inter alia this resulted in an 86% destruction of the metacestodes in the treated animals as compared to the placebo treated animals and four days after treatment there was a significant leukopaenia and lymphopaenia. Coincidently, there was an increase in the responsiveness of the peripheral blood lymphocytes to antigen.Upon challenge infection with 15,000 eggs the infected calves showed a marked secondary eosinophilia, but no change was apparent in the other blood elements. At this time there was a marked increase in the response of the peripheral blood lymphocytes to antigen.Two lightly infected calves showed a leukocytosis and a lymphocytosis beginning 31 days after infection. The calves did not demonstrate an eosinophilic response, nor did the transformation of their lymphocytes with antigen differ from that of the uninfected animals. However, upon challenge infection these calves showed a marked eosinophilia and an increase in the responsiveness of their lymphocytes to antigen.     

Development of antigen-induced proliferative responsiveness by murine lymph node cells. I. Identification of differences in the in vitro proliferative responses during a first and a second period of responsiveness.

The development and course of antigen-induced proliferative responsiveness by murine lymph node cells (LNC) was observed for 16 weeks post-immunization. The initial phase of responsiveness was characterized by antigen-induced proliferative responsiveness in vitro which reached a maximum 3-5 weeks post-immunization and then declined to low levels by 6-8 weeks. Without injection of additional antigen, the initial phase of responsiveness was followed by the development of a second phase of antigen-induced proliferative responsiveness 10-12 weeks post-immunization. These findings suggest that the in vivo development of lymph node lymphocytes capable of a proliferative response to antigen is under some type of modulation which is maximal 6-8 weeks post-immunization. Early in the first phase the proliferative responses to higher concentrations of antigen peaked early in the culture period (days 3-4), whereas responses to the lower concentrations of antigen were optimal after 5-6 days of culture. During the latter half of the first phase, however, peak proliferative responses were made to all the concentrations of antigen on the same day of culture (day 6). In contrast, the responses detected at the beginning and throughout the second phase of responsiveness were characterized by maximum proliferation to all the concentrations of antigen late in the culture period (day 7). These results delineate the temporal requirements for maturation of antigen-induced proliferative responsiveness of murine LNC post-immunization and indicate the time interval when optimal responses may be detected.     

Lithium potentiates antigen-dependent stimulation of lymphocytes only under suboptimal conditions

Immunization of hamsters with DNP-BSA in either Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant led to the induction of antigen reactive lymph node cells. As assessed by in vitro lymphocyte stimulation assays, antigen in complete adjuvant was more effective than antigen in incomplete adjuvant in inducing immunity. Supplementing antigen-stimulated cultures from animals 14 days post-immunization with LiCl led to no enhancement of tritiated thymidine incorporation into cells from animals immunized with antigen in complete adjuvant, but did enhance antigen-dependent stimulation of cells from animals immunized with antigen + incomplete adjuvant. LiCl was, however, able to enhance stimulation of cells from animals immunized with antigen + complete adjuvant at 22 and 29 days post-immunization, when in vitro responsiveness was declining. Lymph node cells from animals optimally immunized antigen + complete adjuvant were fractionated by passage over Sephadex G-10 columns. Sephadex G-10 non-adherent cells, deficient in cells such as macrophages, exhibited a depressed responsiveness to antigen, compared to unfractionated cells, and responsiveness was not restored by LiCl. Stimulation of cells by antigen was found to be inhibited by supplementing the cultures with theophylline or dibutyryl cyclic AMP and this inhibition could be reversed by LiCl. Lithium would, therefore, appear to be able to influence lymphocyte adenylate cyclase. Thus, LiCl can exert an immunopharmacologic effect on in vitro antigen stimulation primarily when conditions are suboptimal, possibly through an influence on cyclic AMP metabolism.     

Induction of airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic rats.

Brown-Norway rats (male) were sensitized with both dinitrophenylated-bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA) and Bordetella pertussis simultaneously in order to induce airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) as the first sensitization. At five days, DNP-BSA was inhaled as a booster into the airways under thiopental anaesthesia. At eight days, inhalation of antigen markedly increased the tracheal pressure (TP) in sensitized rats (11.9 +/- 1.6 cmH2O) and slightly increased TP in non-sensitized rats (1.1 +/- 0.4), the difference between the two groups being significant (p less than 0.001). Twenty-four hours after antigen challenge, the airway responsiveness to ACh in sensitized rats was markedly increased to about 4-fold as compared to that in non-sensitized rats. Inhalation of dinitrophenylated-ovalbumin failed to increase the airway responsiveness to ACh in rats sensitized with DNP-BSA, although a marked increase in TP was induced immediately after antigen challenge. We thus succeeded in preparing a model of AHR by employing a new procedure of sensitization.     

Inhibitory effect of inhaled FK-506 on increased bronchial responsiveness and eosinophil infiltration in the airway mucosa]

We examined the effects of inhaled FK-506, a potent immunosuppressive agent, on increased bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine and on eosinophil infiltration in a guinea pig models of asthma. The guinea pigs were sensitized by repeated inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). Twenty four hours after antigen challenge, bronchial responsiveness to acetylcholine significantly increased and a marked accumulation of eosinophils in the airways was observed. However, when the guinea pigs were treated with aerosolized FK (10 mg/ml) for 5 min per day for 6 successive days before antigen challenge, the increase in bronchial responsiveness was significantly suppressed and the eosinophil accumulation was strikingly reduced. Since inhaled FK significantly suppressed these responses, there is a possibility that inhaled FK may be a useful therapy for patients with chronic bronchial asthma in the future.     

Transfer of immunity to cryptococcosis by T-enriched splenic lymphocytes from Cryptococcus neoformans-sensitized mice.

Splenic enriched T-cells and sera were obtained from inbred CBA/J mice injected 7 or 35 days earlier with either 10(3) viable Cryptococcus neoformans or sterile physiological saline. The transfer of enriched T-cells collected 7 days after immunization or of normal enriched T-cells did not transfer immunity to C. neoformans or delayed-type hypersensitivity responsiveness to cryptococcal culture filtrate (CneF) antigen to the recipients. However, enriched T-cells harvested 35 days after immunization, when transferred to recipient mice, were able to confer immunity as indicated by the reduction in numbers of C. neoformans cells in the tissues, and they also transferred delayed-type hypersensitivity responsiveness to CneF antigens. Sera from either sensitized or normal mice were unable to transfer immunity to recipient animals. These results suggested that there was a time requirement for development of the immune response in the donor mice and that T-cells were crucial in the host defense against a cryptococcal infection. Culturing of day-35 C. neoformans-sensitized T-cells in the presence of homologous antigen (CneF) but not in the presence of heterologous antigen (purified protein derivative or 2, 4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene) induced the production of migration inhibition factor, thus indicating that lymphocytes from C. neoformans-injected mice were specifically sensitized to CneF antigen.     

Suppressive effect of Saibokuto on Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen-induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from asthmatic children

The effect of Saibokuto on induction of antigen specific IL2 responsiveness was studied. Saibokuto suppressed the induction of IL2 responsiveness induced by Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with bronchial asthma. Saibokuto-pretreated adherent cells failed to present Df antigen to non-adherent responding T cells for induction of their IL2 responsiveness. The same dose of Saibokuto had no impact on non-adherent cells. Saibokuto also suppressed the induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from the same patients on stimulation wit PPD, but not with Con A. These combined data suggests that Saibokuto has a weak immunosuppressive effect on Df induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from asthmatic children. Effect of Saibokuto on induction of antigen specific IL2 responsiveness was studied. Saibokuto suppressed the induction of IL2 responsiveness induced by Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with bronchial asthma. Saibokuto-pretreated adherent cells failed to present Df antigen to non-adherent responding T cell for induction of their IL2 responsiveness. Non-adherent cells had no impact by the same dose of Saibokuto. Saibokuto also suppressed the induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from the same patient on stimulation with PPD, but not Con A. These combined data suggest that Saibokuto has a weak immunosuppressive effect on Df induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from asthmatic children. Effect of Saibokuto on induction of antigen specific IL2 responsiveness was studied. Saibokuto suppressed the induction of IL2 responsiveness induced by Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with bronchial asthma. Saibokuto-pretreated adherent cells failed to present Df antigen to non-adherent responding T cell for induction of their IL2 responsiveness. Non-adherent cells had no impact by the same dose of Saibokuto. Saibokuto also suppressed the induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from the same patient on stimulation with PPD, but not Con A. These combined data suggest that Saibokuto has a weak immunosuppressive effect on Df induced IL2 responsiveness of lymphocytes from asthmatic children.     

Pretreatment of mice with anti-IgD serum does not result in suppression of immune responsiveness induced by TNP-AECM-Ficoll or lipopolysaccharide.

Unlike the suppression of a primary response to a thymus-dependent antigen, pretreatment of mice with anti-IgD serum has no effect on the response to a thymus-independent (TI) antigen. It has also been shown that anti-IgD serum injected parenterally into mice 2 days previously, has no suppressive effect on non-specific responsiveness to an intraperitoneal injection of LPS. There is a similar lack of effect on the non-specific element of responsiveness to a TI antigen. These results provide in vivo confirmation of the results of previous in vitro experimentation.     

Ovalbumin-specific induction of IL2 responsiveness in lymphocytes from patients with hen egg allergy and its regulation by the culture supernatant of normal lymphocytes.

Interleukin 2 (IL2) responsiveness of ovalbumin (OVA)-stimulated lymphocytes from patients with hen-egg allergy was studied. The number of viable cells of 5-day cultured lymphocytes stimulated with OVA was increased by an additional three days incubation with recombinant IL2. This phenomenon was not observed when the lymphocytes of patients allergic to OVA but not to Dermatophagoides farinae extract antigen (Df) were stimulated with Df. Normal lymphocytes stimulated with OVA expressed Tac antigen (low affinity IL2 receptor) but, in contrast to those from the allergic patients, did not absorb nor respond to IL2. The induction of OVA-specific IL2 responsiveness in patient lymphocytes was markedly suppressed on the addition of culture supernatant from OVA-stimulated normal T cells, but Df-specific IL2 responsiveness of the lymphocytes from Df-sensitized patients with bronchial asthma was not suppressed by the same supernatant. The supernatant of lymphocytes from allergic patients did not show such suppressive effect. The patient lymphocytes whose IL2 responsiveness was suppressed with the supernatant from normal lymphocytes still expressed Tac antigen. These observations suggest that the culture supernatant of normal T lymphocytes stimulated with OVA contained an antigen-specific factor suppressing the induction of IL2 responsiveness of OVA-stimulated patient lymphocytes. The production of such a suppressive factor was impaired in the patient, and further, the factor may have inhibited the triggering signal of IL2 receptors having absorbed IL2. The existence of some allogeneic barrier between the factor(s) and patient lymphocytes was suggested, since the supernatant from OVA-stimulated normal T cells did not necessarily suppress the response of all patients tested.     

Inflammatory cells and eicosanoid mediators in subjects with late asthmatic responses and increases in airway responsiveness

To determine the relationship of inflammatory cells and eicosanoid mediators to the pathogenesis of the late asthmatic response (LAR) and increases in nonspecific airway responsiveness, we studied bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and fluid in 27 subjects 12 hours after inhaled antigen challenge. Methacholine challenge was performed before antigen challenge and 24 hours later (12 hours after BAL). Eight subjects had no LAR (-LAR, less than or equal to 10% fall in FEV1), nine subjects had an equivocal LAR (+/- LAR, 11% 25% fall in FEV1), and 10 subjects had a definite LAR (+LAR, greater than 25% fall in FEV1). Subjects developing +LAR had increased airway responsiveness at baseline compared with that of subjects developing an +/- LAR, but not with subjects having -LAR. If airway responsiveness was markedly increased at baseline, further increases after antigen challenge were often not observed. We found that both percent neutrophils and eosinophils increased in BAL as the severity of the LAR increased, but significant differences between the groups with -LAR and +LAR were only observed when both cell types were considered together. In addition, there was a significant correlation between the combined cell percentages and the severity of the LAR as determined by fall in FEV1. Likewise, increases in airway responsiveness were associated with significant increases in both neutrophil and eosinophil numbers, but only neutrophils correlated with the change in airway responsiveness after antigen challenge. However, despite the significant physiologic and cellular differences that we found between our groups, no significant differences could be found in BAL eicosanoid-mediator concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Time-Dose-Response Studies on Cellular Immunity

The time-dose responses to several murine histocompatibility antigens were studied using lymphocytes as an antigen source for immunization and the speed of rejection of skin grafts as an assay of the level of immune responsiveness. It was observed that the weaker the first set response to an antigen the higher the minimal immunizing dose and the lower the tolerizing dose; thus, there was a small "immunizing window." The speed of onset of immune responsiveness and the magnitude of change in it following first antigen contact depended on the "strength" of the antigen. When the antigen was "strong" the level of response increased rapidly following first antigen contact. When the antigen was "weak" a period of tolerance appeared following first antigen contact, which then gave way to a state of immunity; the "weaker" the antigen the longer the interval and the greater the magnitude of tolerance. Increasing the antigen dose tended to magnify and prolong the tolerance. The "weaker" the antigen the longer the interval between first antigen contact and the appearance of immunity. Once established, the level of immunity was not constant. Undulations in the levels of all responses were noted; the "weaker" the antigen the larger the undulations. Possible explanations for the undulations and implications of the time-dose-response curves in immunotherapy are discussed.     

Perpetual Proliferation of LYT-1 Cells Requires Repetitive Signals for IL-2 Receptor Induction by Antigen-presenting Cells

T cell lines with specificity for bovine insulin and ovalbumin were maintained by serial stimulation with antigen presented on irradiated syngeneic spleen cells, alternating 3 days later with subculture in IL-2 containing medium (CM). When the cultures were repetitively split in CM, with concomitant dilution of antigen-presenting cells, a gradual loss of proliferative capacity of the cells in the presence of CM was observed. Absorption studies revealed a 20-fold reduction of IL-2 receptors on the surface of T blasts assayed 12 days after antigenic stimulation as compared with day 5 blasts. This decrement in the number of IL-2 acceptor sites reflected an actual decrease in cell surface density of IL-2 receptors. Restimulation of the T blasts with antigen and spleen cells induced both a substantial increase in IL-2 receptor density and responsiveness to CM. Furthermore, the permanent presence of antigen and spleen cells during splitting of the T blasts in CM prevented the loss of responsiveness to IL-2. As an interpretation we propose that the Lyt-1 cells studied here clear their IL-2 receptors from the cell surface after interaction with IL-2. Thus, each new round of replication of the daughter cells would be dependent on induction of IL-2 receptors by activating signals provided by antigen/la structures on accessory cells as well as possibly accessory cell products such as IL-1, rendering Lyt-1 cells sensitive to regulatory influences.     

Hyperresponsiveness of bronchial but not tracheal smooth muscle in a murine model of allergic bronchial asthma

Objective: To determine a change in airway smooth muscle contractility in a murine model of allergic asthma, the responsiveness of airway smooth muscles isolated from ovalbumin (OA)-sensitized and -challenged mice was compared with that from control animals.Methods: Actively sensitized mice were repeatedly challenged by ovalbumin (OA) antigen inhalation. Twenty-four h after the last antigen challenge, tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle responsiveness to acetylcholine (ACh) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured. Airway microvascular leakage and histochemistry were also determined as indices of airway inflammation.Results: Both the ACh and ET-1 responsiveness of bronchial, but not tracheal, smooth muscles were significantly augmented in OA-challenged mice, whereas no significant change in the expression levels of M₂, M₃ and ET_B receptors was observed. The Evans blue dye extravasation in the main bronchial, but not tracheal, tissue of OA-challenged mice was significantly increased as compared with that of sensitized control animals. A marked inflammatory cells infiltration was also observed in bronchial but not tracheal tissues of OA-challenged mice.Conclusion: Repeated antigen challenge to sensitized mice caused a hyperresponsiveness of bronchial, but not tracheal, smooth muscle accompanied with bronchial tissue inflammation.Received 22 April 2004; returned for revision 10 June 2004; accepted by M. Katori 9 July 2004     

Lymphoid cell blastogenesis as an in vitro indicator of cellular immunity to Legionella pneumophila antigens.

The lymphocyte blastogenic transformation assay was adapted to study responsiveness of lymphoid cells from animals and humans to Legionella pneumophila antigens in vitro. Spleen cells from guinea pigs after active immunization with Legionella vaccine, but not from normal animals, responded by blast cell transformation when stimulated in vitro with killed Legionella whole-cell vaccine, sonic extracts thereof, or a purified somatic antigen. The response was dose dependent. Similar lymphocyte blastogenesis occurred with spleen cells from mice sensitized to Legionella by sublethal infection with the bacteria. In addition, blastogenesis occurred with peripheral blood leukocytes from human volunteers tested in vitro with whole-cell vaccine, sonic extracts, or purified somatic antigen. Maximum responsiveness generally occurred 4 to 5 days after stimulation of human peripheral blood leukocytes, but a day or two earlier with spleen cells from normal or sensitized mice. Guinea pig spleen cells generally showed peak responses at the same time as human peripheral blood leukocytes after stimulation in vitro. Blastogenic responses with purified antigen were comparable to those with the whole-cell vaccine or sonic extract. Such antigens from Legionella provide a useful material for inducing responses in vitro as a correlate of cellular immunity to these bacteria.     

Sensitization of human lymphocytes in vitro kinetics and specificity of the response to hemocyanins

In vitro primary sensitization of human peripheral blood T-cells to hemocyanins was detected during a 12–14 day culture period with antigen (KLH or HCH)-pulsed macrophages. Primed T-cells proliferate in secondary culture (2–3 days) when restimulated with antigen presented by macrophages. The kinetics of primary sensitization and secondary responsiveness are interrelated and are dependent on the antigen doses employed. Antigen-induced proliferation of cells sensitized in vitro is identical to proliferation of T-cells from immunized donors in terms of antigen specificity and the clonal nature of the response to antigen. Through the use of thymidine suicide techniques, distinct populations of cells responding to KLH or HCH can be demonstrated using cells from actively immunized donors or cells that have been sensitized in vitro to both hemocyanins.     

Suppressive effect of azelastine on the induction of Df antigen specific IL-2 responsiveness in lymphocytes from patients with bronchial asthma

Effect of azelastine on the induction of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-antigen specific IL-2 responsiveness of the lymphocytes was examined. Azelastine suppressed the induction of IL-2 responsiveness induced by Df antigen in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with bronchial asthma in a dose dependent manner. Azelastine suppressed antigen presenting adherent cells but not non-adherent responder cells (T cell rich fraction). The antigen specific IL-2 responsiveness induced by purified protein derivative (PPD) in healthy adults was also suppressed by this drug, but not by concanavalin A (Con A). These data suggest that Azelastine suppresses the antigen specific lymphocyte reactions, and that these effects are based on the weak suppressive effect on antigen presenting and/or processing pathway.     

Prednisone, indomethacin and airway responsiveness in toluene diisocyanate sensitized subjects

We investigated whether late asthmatic reactions and the associated increase in airway responsiveness induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in sensitized subjects are inhibited by indomethacin and/or prednisone. Four sets of experiments were conducted in five subjects sensitized to TDI. To assess late asthmatic reactions to TDI, FEV1 was measured immediately before and after exposure to TDI and then hourly for 8 h. To assess change in airway responsiveness, the provocative dose (mg) of methacholine that caused a decrease in FEV1 of 20% (PD20FEV1) before treatment, and then before and after exposure to TDI was measured. In the first set of experiments, each subject was given no treatment and was studied before and 8 h after exposure to TDI; in the other two sets, each subject was studied before treatment, then during treatment with indomethacin (50 mg q.i.d. for 3 days, orally) or prednisone (50 mg once a day, for 3 days, orally), both before and 8 h after TDI exposure. In a fourth series of experiments, each subject was again given no treatment and studied before and 8 h after TDI. When the subjects were given no treatment or indomethacin, TDI caused late asthmatic reactions and increased airway responsiveness to inhaled methacholine. In contrast, when the subjects were given prednisone, TDI caused neither late asthmatic reactions nor increased airway responsiveness. Treatment with indomethacin and prednisone did not change baseline FEV1 and airway responsiveness. These results suggest that release of prostaglandins does not contribute to late asthmatic reactions and the associated increase in airway responsiveness induced by TDI. Inflammatory mediators inhibited by prednisone but not by indomethacin may be involved.     

Allergen-specific induction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) responsiveness in lymphocytes from children with asthma. I. Antigen specificity and initial events of the induction

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) responsiveness of Dermatophagoides farinae (Df)-stimulated lymphocytes from children with bronchial asthma was studied. Six-day culture of lymphocytes from allergic patients increased after an additional 3 days of incubation with recombinant IL-2. This phenomenon was not observed when the lymphocytes of patients allergic to Df were stimulated with ovalbumin (OVA). Normal lymphocytes stimulated with Df expressed Tac antigen (low-affinity IL-2 receptor) but, in contrast to the patients' lymphocytes, did not absorb nor respond to IL-2. Nonadherent responder cells cultured with Df-pulsed autologous adherent cells acquired IL-2 responsiveness, but those cultured with OVA-pulsed adherent cells did not. The monoclonal antibody to HLA-DQ framework (Leu 10 and clonab DQ), but not to HLA-DR framework (OKIa1) and HLA-DP (HLA-DP and clonab DP-DR), blocked the antigen-presenting cells from inducing IL-2 responsiveness. Nonadherent responder cells depleted of OKT4 (CD4)-positive cells failed to acquire IL-2 responsiveness, whereas depletion of OKT8 (CD8) cells had no impact. Taken as a whole, the results indicate that DQ-bearing adherent cells from allergic donors play a key role in presenting Df antigen to allergen-specific responder T cells, which are very likely to be members of the OKT4 positive subset.     

Effect of an inhaled glucocorticosteroid (budesonide) on post-antigen induced increases in airway responsiveness

We examined the effects of an inhaled glucocorticosteroid, budesonide, on antigen-induced early and late bronchial responses and the development 24 h after challenge of increased airway responsiveness to carbachol in allergic sheep. Six allergic sheep were used for this study and, on occasions separated by at least three weeks, they were treated: with placebo (treatment 1); 16 h and 20 min prior to antigen challenge with budesonide (treatment 2); 16 h and 20 min prior to and 8 h after antigen challenge with budesonide (treatment 3); or 16 h and 1 h prior to and 8 h after antigen challenge with budesonide (treatment 4). Airway responsiveness to carbachol was determined prior to and 24 h after antigen challenge by measuring specific lung resistance (sRL) after administering increasing doses of carbachol aerosol (0.5, 1 and 2.5% w/v) and determining the concentration of carbachol needed to increase sRL 150% over baseline (PC150). Placebo treatment did not affect the early or late increases in sRL after airway challenge with Ascaris suum antigen; 24 h after challenge, airway responsiveness to carbachol increased (p less than 0.05); at this time, PC150 was (mean +/- SEM) 0.88 +/- 0.15% as compared to 1.56 +/- 0.26% before challenge. Both treatments 2 and 3 blunted the early response to antigen and blocked the late response, but treatment 2 did not modify the antigen-induced increase in airway responsiveness, whereas treatment 3 did. Treatment 4 blocked both antigen-induced responses and was effective in blunting the increased airway responsiveness. These results suggest that antigen-induced increases in airway responsiveness: occur 24 h after a challenge in allergic sheep with early and late responses; can be blunted by budesonide; and are not dependent on the late response.     

T-cell activation by anti-idiotypic antibody: evidence for the internal image.

Human lymphoproliferative responses to a rabbit anti-idiotypic antibody (anti-Id TB71) and the corresponding mycobacterial protein antigen [38,000 molecular weight (MW)] have been investigated in a number of donors. It was found that responsiveness to anti-Id TB71 correlated with responder and non-responder (four subjects each) status to the 38,000 MW antigen. Furthermore, the induction of T-cell proliferation by both the 38,000 MW antigen and the anti-Id TB71 was dependent on accessory cells. When taken together with the concordance between the 38,000 MW antigen and anti-Id responsiveness, this implies that the 38,000 MW antigen and anti-Id TB71 stimulate related, or at least partially overlapping, repertoires of T cells. This was confirmed by the finding that cloned T cells reactive with the 38,000 MW antigen also proliferated in response to the anti-Id TB71. These observations are readily explained if the anti-idiotypic antibody contains an internal image of, and can therefore mimic, the antigen.