Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine tha thas pleiotropic effects on the immune response. We have studied the effect of recombinant IL-12 on allergic contact dermatitis in the mouse. IL-12 substantially up-regulates the induction of sensitivity to the contact allergens dinitrofluorobenzene and oxazolone.
Treatment with cyclophosphamide (Cy) can modulate the acquisition of allergic contact dermatitis in the mouse. We compared the effect of a single dose of Cy given at different times before or after allergen. Cy one or more days prior to allergen intensified, and Cy several days after allergen inhibited the acquisition of sensitivity. Mice whose immunological response to an allergen had been suppressed by Cy were specifically immunologically tolerant to that allergen, but not to an unrelated allergen. This tolerance probably represents a combination of clone deletion and inhibition; almost certainly it does not depend on the generation of enhancing (‘blocking’) antibody.
The delayed‐type allergenicity of triforine (Saprol®), 1,4‐bis (2,2,2‐trichloro‐l‐formamidoethyl) piperazine, was studied. In a mass examination of chrysanthemum growers among whom triforine was commonly used, the highest rate of positive patch test reaction was seen to triforine (17%) among the 7 pesticides and chrysanthemum extracts tested. A higher prevalence rate of work‐related skin symptoms was seen in subjects with a positive patch test reaction to triforine (44%) than in those with negative reactions to all allergens tested (15%) (p < 0.05). 12 subjects (67%) with positive patch test reactions to triforine were also positive to dichlorvos (DDVP®), with a high × coefficient (0.65). The grading of guinea pig maximization test to triforine was grade IV (66%), defined as “strong”, Cross‐sensitization between triforine and dichlorvos was also shown. The present results confirm that triforine is capable of including delayed‐type allergy among chrysanthemum growers and of showing cross‐reactivity with dichlorvos.
Cyclophosphamide given before allergen and recombinant interleukin-12 administered at the time of allergic sensitization substantially increase the acquisition of allergic contact dermatitis in the mouse. Since their immunoadjuvant mechanisms appeared different, it seemed probable that combining cyclophosphamide pretreatment with interleukin 12 administration would result in a more intense allergic contact dermatitis than when either agent was used alone. This was tested in different groups of mice sensitized to dinitrofluorobenzene or to oxazolone. Consistently, immunopotentiation of allergic contact dermatitis was significantly greater with the two immunoadjuvants than with either alone. This immunoadjuvant combination is likely to find use in immunization protocols designed to induce a Th-1 helper cell response.
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