Studies on carrier protein in contact dermatitis: localization of soluble epidermal carrier proteins by macrophage migration test.

The migration of peritoneal exudate cells from picrylchloride-sensitive guinea pigs was inhibited by heteroantigenic components which were isolated by antinormal guinea pig epidermis antibody immunoadsorbent from soluble epidermal proteins of picrylchloride painted guinea pigs. The components were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence study to localize in the intercellular spaces of guinea pig epidermis. It is consequently suggested that carrier protein(s) of contact hypersensitivity reside on the cell surface of epidermis.