Treponemicidal activity of supernatants from cultures of sensitized lymphocytes.

Abstract

It was found that lymphocytes secured from lymphoid organs or syphilitic rabbits, when cultured with ultrasonicate of T. pallidum (Tp-S) or phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), released to the supernatant fluid a substance (ATL-anti-treponemal lymphotoxin) which exerted a direct killing effect on T. pallidum. Splenic lymphocytes were found much more active than lymphocytes isolated from popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes, and the peripheral blood. The effect of some factors on release of the ATL by sensitized lymphocytes was established.