Jones-Mote reactivity, defined as a delayed-type skin reaction, occurs transiently early in the course of immunization with protein antigens or hapten conjugates with or without the adjuvant effect of tubercle bacilli. The skin reaction is typically a flat, well-circumscribed erythema with little induration beginning at about 6 hr, reaching a peak at 18-24 hr, and fading or gone at 48 hr. Immunogenic carrier requirements for hapten-specific Jones-Mote hypersitivity resemble those of antibody production rather than of classic delayed hypersensitivity. Skin test antigen requirements indicate that the Jones-Mote reaction involves an active stimulatory response rather than combination with preformed antibody, since ABA conjugates of nonimmunogenic D-polymers do not work. Studies with ALS and carrageenan suggest that the lymphocyte is an important contributor to the reaction, but the macrophage is not. Because the reactions studied here are operationally different from those described by Jones and Mote and because they have a characteristic histology, the term "cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity" is proposed.

Animals↗

PubMed1970

Cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. II. A light and electron microscopic description.

Delayed onset erythematous skin reactions elicited in guinea pigs early in the course of sensitization with azobenzenearsonate-protein conjugates or with protein antigens in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or in saline were found to have a characteristic morphology which sets them apart from delayed hypersensitivity and the classic antibody mediated reactions. The principle feature was massive dermal infiltration with basophilic leukocytes. Mononuclear cells of several types including activated and small lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and blast cells were also present. Such reactions have in the past been designated Jones-Mote hypersensitivity, but we prefer the descriptive term cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) for the reasons given. Occasional basophils extruded their granules, and individual granules, retaining their characteristic ultrastructure, were commonly seen in the interstitium. However, intercellular junctions between endothelial cells were closed except during cell emigration and there was no morphologic evidence of an histamine-like effect. The majority of basophils, moreover, did not degranulate but underwent nuclear pyknosis and cytoplasmic degeneration and were phagocytosed by macrophages. Phagocytosed basophil granules retained their ultrastructure. Skin tests performed at late intervals after sensitization had a different time course and morphology. Animals sensitized with protein antigens in complete Freund's adjuvant developed delayed hypersensitivity; however, reactions elicited in such animals at early (but not late) intervals after sensitization contained a prominent basophil component. We interpret such reactions to be a mixture of delayed hypersensitivity and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. The function of the basophil in CBH and its relation to the mononuclear cells which accompany it are unknown, and various possibilities are discussed. We conclude that cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity is a distinct immunologic and morphologic entity, occurring early in the course of sensitization with protein antigens incorporated in any of several vehicles. The mechanism of the reaction is presently unknown, and a general hypothesis to explain its pathogenesis has been proposed.

Animals↗

PubMed1970

The role of immunogenicity in the induction of tolerance with conjugates of arsanilic acid.

A number of azobenzenearsonate (ABA) conjugates have been prepared and tested for ability to react with antibody, to sensitize for hapten-specific delayed hypersensitivity and to induce hapten-specific unresponsiveness. All conjugates tested by in vitro or in vivo methods show a capacity to react with preformed antibody. Conjugates of L-amino acid polymers are immunogenic and induce tolerance. Conjugates of D-amino acid polymers or conjugates with high density of ABA groups are nonimmunogenic and fail to induce tolerance. Since paired D- and L-polymer conjugates react comparably with preformed antibody but differ markedly in tolerance induction, it is argued that combination with an antibody-like receptor molecule on the surface of an immune-competent cell is not a sufficient condition for tolerance. The lack of effectiveness of sterically crowded conjugates as well as D-polymer conjugates argues for a preliminary biologic "processing" of antigen necessary for induction of immunity or tolerance. Such a processing event might well involve enzymatic attack on the antigen.

Animals↗

PubMed1970