An analysis of the effects of some types of anti-lymphocyte sera on contact hypersensitivity and certain models of inflammation.

The effect of anti-thymocyte serum, anti-lymph node cell serum and anti-lymph node permeability factor serum have been compared on the peripheral manifestation of contact hypersensitivity in the guinea-pig and certain models of acute inflammation in the guinea-pig and the rat. Anti-lymph node permeability factor serum has a similar effect to the anti-lymphocyte sera on contact hypersensitivity. However, its effect on non-specific inflammation is very much less. The mechanism of action of anti-lymphocyte sera on the models of non-specific inflammation has been studied more thoroughly to attempt to work out the level at which inhibition occurs. The central effect of these different antisera on lymph nodes reacting during the development of sensitivity to a chemical sensitizer has also been studied. Anti-serum prepared against cells derived from lymph nodes has the same specific effect on the thymus-dependent area of the lymph node as antiserum prepared against cells derived from the thymus. These changes are compared with those produced by anti-lymph node permeability factor serum and anti-epidermal cell serum.