Cell-mediated immune phenomena induced by lymphokines from splenic lymphocytes of mice with chronic staphylococcal infection.

Splenic lymphocytes from normal mice and from mice displaying delayed hypersensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus were cultured in the presence or absence of specific staphylococcal antigens. The cell-free supernatant fluids from these lymphocyte cultures were assessed for their ability to alter the functional capacities of normal macrophages. It was found that supernatants from staphylococcus-immune cells cultured in vitro with antigen possessed migration inhibitory factor activity and also were capable of stimulating the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into macrophage membrane glycoproteins. In addition, the lymphokine-containing supernatants were capable of inducing activation of normal macrophages so that they inhibited the multiplication of intracellular Listeria monocytogenes. Although it was not possible to snow any significant enhancement of intracellular killing of S. aureus by the activated macrophages, evidence is presented that suggests that cell-mediated immune responses to S. aureus may significantly enhance pahgocytosis of staphylococci and, thereby, may provide for their rapid clearance from extracellular fluids.