Induction of cell-mediated immunity to Mycobacterium leprae in mice.

The immune response of mice to armadillo-derived, irradiation-killed Mycobacterium leprae (I-ML) was investigated. Following injection of 100 microgram of I-ML into the left hind footpads of mice, a state of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was engendered to antigens of M. leprae. The evidence for CMI was as follows: (i) development of delayed-type hypersensitivity to both human tuberculin purified protein derivative and soluble M. leprae antigens; (ii) T-lymphocyte-dependent macrophage activation at the inoculation site; (iii) specific systemic resistance to the cross-reactive species M. tuberculosis; and (iv) immunopotentiation of the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to an unrelated antigen. The CMI induced by I-ML in aqueous suspension was greater than that obtained with the same antigen in water-in-oil emulsion, even though the latter generated a more severe reaction at the site of immunization. I-ML also induced a stronger CMI response than the corresponding dose of heat-killed BCG.