Adjuvant effect of lysolecithin analogues on the development of contact sensitivity in mice

The influence of two lysolecithin analogues on the development of contact sensitivity (CS) to picryl chloride in mice was studied. Both substances were shown to have an adjuvant effect on the primary CS response, but depending on dosage of adjuvant and antigen, the timing of adjuvant injection, and the strain of mice employed, the relative activities of the two substances varied considerably. Large amounts of one of the adjuvants were less stimulatory than small amounts. Both substances had a suppressive effect on the development of CS following repeated administration of picryl chloride. The results are discussed in relation to hypotheses on the cellular targets for, and mode of action of, immunological adjuvants.