Mediators of Inflammation (Jan 1993)

Desensitization of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice: suppressive environment

  • Takashi Katsura,
  • Kazuo Kobayashi,
  • Michio Hosaka,
  • Sachiko Sugihara,
  • Tsuyoshi Kasama,
  • Keita Kasahara,
  • Stanley Cohen,
  • Takeshi Yoshida

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/s0962935193000274
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 3
pp. 205 – 210

Abstract

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The systemic injection of high doses of antigen into a preimmunized animal results in transient unresponsiveness of cell-mediated immune responses. This phenomenon is known as desensitization. Serum interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity was found transiently in desensitized mice at 3 h after the antigen challenge. These mice could not reveal antigen nonspecific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) 1 d after the challenge. Specific suppression of DTH was observed at later stages. Sera from 3 h desensitized mice showed suppressive effects on DTH in preo immunized mice. Administration of recombinant IL-2 into preimmunized mice led to the failure of development of DTH to antigens. These observations suggest that IL-2 plays an important role in the suppressive environment.