Altered lymphocyte response in adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Evaluation of lymphocyte response has been undertaken in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Lymphocyte reactivity was studied by evaluating lymphocyte transformation in mixed lymphocyte-chondrocyte cultures as well as the response to PHA and M. tuberculosis. It was found that animals immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant showed increased transformation when challenged with M. tuberculosis powder. However, there was a depressed response to PHA and a markedly depressed response in mixed lymphocyte-chondrocyte cultures.