A method of preparing rabbit leukocytes for use in the capillary-migration test. Studies using particulate and soluble-sensitizing antigens

Abstract

The use of peripheral blood leukocytes in the capillary-migration test is presently a very active area of investigation. A technique was developed in our laboratory which made possible the use of rabbit leukocytes in this in vitro test for cellular reactivity. Using a combination of gelatin sedimentation and sucrose-density gradient centrifugation, it was possible to harvest white cell populations from 59 rabbits which had median percentages of 74% mononuclear cells and 26% granulocytes with a median percent recovery of 34% of cells for the entire group. When testing cell populations from rabbits sensitized with killed mycobacteria, significant inhibition of migration was found when particulate antigen was included in the tissue-culture medium. Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) failed to elicit a similar response under the same conditions of experiment. Migration inhibition was also found when cells from animals immunized with ovalbumin were tested in the presence of specific antigen.