Blastic stimulation of unprimed mouse lymphocytes by living protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus: a possible connection with transplant immunity
Dixon, J.B.; Jenkins, P.; Allan, D.
Journal of Parasitology 64(5): 949-950
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3395 PMID: 722469 Document Number: 134044
Thymidine incorporation by mouse lymphocytes was stimulated by the presence of E. granulosus protoscoleces, indicating blastogenesis. The stimulation compared quantitatively with the mitogenic effects of plant lectins such as phytohaemagglutinin, implying the activation of multiple clones of lymphocytes. Non-viable parasite material had no effect. It appears that primary recognition by lymphoid cells can extend from the allogeneic to the xenogeneic situation, response to grafts and parasites being features of a general biological faculty.