antigen enhances the production of antigen-specific immunoglobulin G in mice.

We previously demonstrated that (.) antigen (Ag) showed high immunostimulatory effects on mouse bone marrow cells (BMs) while (.) Ag showed low effects. The focus of this study was to determine if Ag can enhance the Ag-specific immune response and whether the host's immune system can recognize both Ags. MTT assay results revealed that each or both Ags did not significantly change BM metabolic activity. Flow cytometry analysis using carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester showed that Ag can promote the division of BMs. In cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) assays, Ag boosted production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in Ag-treated BMs, and combined treatment with both Ags elevated the level of NO in BMs compared to that from treatment of Ag alone. Immunoglobulin (Ig)G enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using the sera of Ag-injected mice clearly indicated that Ag can increase the production of Ag-specific IgG. This study provided information valuable in the development of vaccines and showed that Ag can be used both as a vaccine adjuvant and as a vaccine Ag.