Suppression of Antibody Forming Cells by Muramyl Di-peptides

摘要

Non-toxic synthetic adjuvants are under prime consideration for use in increasing the immune response of human beings. Three of microbial origin are the muramyl di-peptides (N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and analogs, termed MDP), polyadenylic acid polyuridylic acid-polyuridylic acid complexes termed poly A-poly U) and the recently isolated monophosphoryl lipid A. While each of these has been demonstrated in animals to be active in increasing the immune response when given with the antigen, each also has been found to suppress this response when given one to several days before antigen. The enhancing actions of MDP and poly A-poly U have been well characterized. However, characterization of the suppressive phenomenon has been minimal, but it is important to gain a responsible understanding of how these adjuvants regulate the immune response non-specifically. Accordingly, the experiments proposed during the tenure of this contract were undertaken to further knowledge of how each of these adjuvants activate the suppressive arm of the immune response.