Immunologic Significance of the Cell Wall of Mycobacteria

Abstract

Summary A technic was described for separation of cell wall and internal protoplasm from cells of Mycobacteria. Data are presented which demonstrated that cell walls produced lesions when injected intradermally into rabbits, whereas protoplasm failed to produce these lesions. Cell walls were also shown to be capable of inducing hypersensitivity of the delayed type. Separation of these morphological elements resulted in definite separation of one element possessing certain biological activities from material not possessing these characteristics. Such initial fractionation of the cell should facilitate purification and characterization of substances which elicit typical tissue responses to infection with tubercle bacilli.