PubMed · 3883363
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H H Fudenberg. 1985. "Transfer factor": an update.. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-178-42015
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A purification method for a human urinary glycoprotein (HGP92) dissociated from Tamm Horsfall protein (THP) is described. Tamm-Horsfall protein, obtained by salt precipitations, was again precipitated in presence of monovalent ions. In these conditions, Tamm-Horsfall protein displayed a tendency to form a gel. After ultracentrifugation, HGP92, which was trapped in the gel, was dissociated from Tamm-Horsfall protein and found in the supernatant. The final step of purification of HGP92 was chromatography on a DEAE Affigel blue column. Injected intravenously, HGP92, but not THP, protected mice against a lethal inoculum of Listeria monocytogenes. This procedure has the advantage of being easy to perform, and enables preparation of large amounts of HGP92. These results suggest that the previously described 'immunostimulating' properties of Tamm-Horsfall protein were, in fact, a consequence of its contamination by HGP92.
Despite pathophysiologic effects including diarrhea, cholera toxin (CT) is a potent mucosal immunogen and adjuvant. We investigated the influence of CT on T helper (Th)-type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell-regulated Ag-specific B cell isotype and IgG subclass Ab responses elicited when the toxin was co-administered orally with different protein Ags. When mice were orally immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) and CT as adjuvant, this regimen induced TT-specific secretory IgA responses in the gastrointestinal tract as well as serum IgG, including IgG1 and IgG2b subclasses, and IgA responses. This oral regimen also induced TT- and CT-B-specific IgE responses. In addition, CT also elicited adjuvant effects for Ag-specific IgG1, IgE, and IgA responses when two other protein Ags, OVA and hen egg white lysozyme, were given by the oral route. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR was performed to assess levels of mRNA for Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokine expression in TT-stimulated CD4+ T cell cultures. Both Peyer's patches and splenic CD4+ T cells expressed markedly increased levels of IL-4-specific message, but did not result in changes in IFN-gamma mRNA expression. To determine whether the route of immunization influenced IgE responses, mice were immunized s.c. with TT and CT as adjuvant. Significant increases in total and TT-specific IgE Abs were induced when CT was co-administered. Taken together, these results show that CT acts as a mucosal adjuvant to enhance Th2-type responses and in particular, the IL-4 produced results in a characteristic Ab isotype pattern associated with this cytokine.
To determine whether IL-12 serves as a regulator of contact sensitivity reactions, mice were painted with either 1.0% trinitrochlorobenzene or 0.5% dinitrofluorobenzene on abdominal skin. At various time points thereafter, regional lymph nodes or spleens were prepared for RNA extraction, and the signals for IL-12 p35 and p40 chain were sought by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. Time course analysis showed a constitutive expression of p35 chain mRNA signals throughout the experiment (0 to 72 h), whereas the signal for the p40 chain was transiently induced in lymph node and spleen cells after 12 to 14 h. Cellular depletion experiments and double label in situ hybridization studies showed that dendritic cells were sources for a major part of the p40 chain message. The presence of functional IL-12 in culture supernatants was indirectly assessed by addition of anti-IL-12 antiserum and analysis of IFN-gamma production. Significant amounts of IFN-gamma could only be detected in supernatants of allergen-treated animals. Addition of anti-IL-12 antiserum inhibited IFN-gamma production by about 55%. In a further attempt to assess the role of IL-12 in contact sensitivity, anti-IL-12 antiserum was injected i.p. into mice, and ear swelling responses were assessed following challenge. Injection of anti-IL-12 antiserum significantly reduced ear swelling responses by 85%. Thus anti-IL-12 treatment almost completely prevented sensitization. To assess whether IL-12 would be able to overcome in vivo tolerance, UV-tolerized animals were treated with i.p. IL-12 in a contact allergy system. Treatment of mice with IL-12 not only prevented tolerance induction, but was able to reverse UV-induced tolerance. In aggregate, our data point to an important role for IL-12 as a mediator and adjuvant for the induction of contact sensitivity in vivo.