Induction of Cell-Mediated Immune Response to Peptides Produced by Enzymatic Digestion of Elastin from Human Lung Parenchyma 1

Abstract

Guinea pigs were sensitized with elastin peptides dissolved in complete Freund's adjuvant, and with complete Freund's adjuvant alone. Four weeks after sensitization, the guinea pigs were challenged intradermally with elastin peptides. Only guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with elastin peptides produced erythema and induration. Histological studies of the indurated skin showed heavy infiltration of mononuclear cells. Migration of peritoneal exudate cells of those guinea pigs was strongly inhibited in the presence of elastin peptides, whereas other proteins such as serum albumin did not inhibit the migration. These observations suggest that the reaction is specific for elastin peptides, although a slight but significant effect was shown by peptides derived from other connective tissue proteins of human lung, i.e., microfibrils and collagen. Cell-mediated immunity could also be induced in normal guinea pigs by the transfer of spleen cells obtained from guinea pigs sensitized and challenged with elastin peptides.