Evaluation of contact sensitivity to formaldehyde and tetramethylthiuram monosulfide using a modified lymphocyte transformation test.

To examine the validity of a modified lymphocyte transformation test for evaluating contact hypersensitivity from weak sensitizers, guinea pigs were sensitized with formaldehyde (F) or tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TMTM) using the maximization test procedure. Lymph node cells from the animals were then cultured with F or TMTM, in the presence or absence of epidermal cells (EC). Transformed lymphocyte counts were evaluated by uptake of 3H-thymidine. Nonsensitized guinea pigs were used as controls. The lymphocytes from sensitized guinea pigs showed stronger blastogenesis when cultured with F or TMTM in the presence of EC than when the sensitizers were not added to the culture and the response depended on the concentration of F or TMTM. Cultures in the absence of EC also showed significant enhancement of blastogenesis by F or TMTM, but the responses were significantly weaker than those in the presence of EC. Lymphocytes from the control animals did not show significantly enhanced blastogenesis in response to F or TMTM, even when EC was added to the cultures. The results suggested that contact sensitivity for weak sensitizers can be evaluated by this modified lymphocyte transformation test, especially when lymph node cells were co-cultured with EC.