ANTIGEN SPECIFIC LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVITY INVITRO BY PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LEUKOCYTES FROM MANTOUX POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE HUMAN BEINGS .1. COMPARISON OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DIFFERENCES IN PPD-SPECIFIC LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE RESPONSE OF LYMPHOCYTES FROM 2 KINDS OF DONORS

Abstract

Lymphocytes from some PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test negative (Mantoux negative = Mx-) human beings reacted against PPD in the lymphoproliferative assay with a time course and dose response very similar to those of lymphocytes from Mantoux positive (Mx+) individuals. Other Mx- persons were PPD non-responsive in the lymphoproliferative assay. The PPD response of immunoglobulin (Ig) anti-Ig column passed lymphocytes (T[thymus-derived]-cells) from Mx-/LP+ (LP+ = lymphoproliferative) persons was significantly reduced; the in vitro PPD response of T-lymphocytes from Mx+/LP+ was the same or increased. Purified B[bone marrow-derived]-lymphocytes from all kinds of tested individuals did not respond in vitro against PPD. Serological investigations indicated that 1 reason for the negative skin reaction of individuals whose lymphocytes gave a positive lymphoproliferative response against PPD (in vitro) is that such individuals had recirculating PPD of high MW (> 900,000) and/or PPD anti-PPD antibody complexes in the serum. These substances could block the PPD-specific T-lymphocytes.