Transfer of Delayed Hypersensitivity to Diphtheria Toxin in Man

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reactions of the delayed inflammatory tuberculin type are considered to be initiated by an immunological process because they occur only in the specifically sensitized host. Nevertheless, no clear cut relationship between this type of hypersensitivity and conventional serum antibody has been demonstrated, although frequently such circulating antibody is present with its specificity directed against the same substance that can elicit the delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Unlike hypersensitivity of the immediate type, serum from donors showing the delayed type of hypersensitivity does not ordinarily confer sensitivity when injected into non-sensitive recipients.Transfer to normal guinea pigs of delayed sensitivity to simple chemicals and to tuberculin, by means of living leucocytes was first demonstrated using peritoneal exudates from sensitized guinea pigs (Landsteiner and Chase (1); Chase (2)). In man, transfer of delayed sensitivity to tuberculin and to certain streptococcal proteins is readily accomplished by subcutaneous or intradermal injections of white cells from the peripheral blood of sensitive donors into nonsensitive recipients (3, 4). The leucocyte factor involved in transfer may be extracted from the cells by disrupting them by repeated freezing and thawing, and is not destroyed by desoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease (5), or by treatment with crystalline trypsin (6).The nature of the factor or factors responsible for transfer of delayed hypersensitivity in man and their relation to serum antibody are not known. This may be due, in part at least, to the fact that the tuberculin and streptococcal products that have been used as test materials are neither homogeneous nor well defined and that no sensitive method is available for determination of small amounts of specific antibody, even if present.

Cell migration and chimerism after whole-organ transplantation: The basis of graft acceptance

“…Consequently, the flash of potential insight faded even though the "transfer factor" of Lawrence (33) was suggested as a possible amplification device. Ironically, several of these original patients were restudied and found to have chimerism nearly three decades later (14).…”

Stimulation of monocyte cGMP by leukocyte dialysates. An antigen-independent property of dialyzable transfer factor.

“…Lymphocytes from transfer factor recipients respond to specific antigens by producing lymphokines (1-3, 5), and Lawrence and Pappenheimer (39) have reported that in vitro stimulation of lymphocytes with antigens causes specific transfer factor to be released into the culture fluid in a manner analogous to the production of lymphokines. It has also been shown that recipients of transfer factor may in turn serve as sources of transfer factor for other skin test-negative subjects (40).'…”

Determinación y análisis del perfil proteico de diferentes factores de transferencia

“…En 1956, H. S. Lawrence y Pappenheimer describieron que el FT era capaz de transmitir memoria inmunitaria de forma independiente de la inmunidad humoral dada por los anticuerpos. [1][2][3][4] Charles H. Kirkpatrick identificó la secuencia consenso de aminoácidos del FT y describió que era altamente conservada, independientemente de las fuentes y especies de obtención. 5,6 En la actualidad, los FT se purifican, liofilizan y se encapsulan para su consumo.…”