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Effect of a reticuloendothelial stimulating agent (restim) on resistance of mice
Abstract:
Ransom, John P. (New England Institute for Medical Research, Ridgefield, Conn.), Varsenig Z. Pasternak, and John H. Heller. Effect of a reticuloendothelial stimulating agent (restim) on resistance of mice. J. Bacteriol. 84:466-472. 1962.-The effect of restim, a preparation of yeast cell walls, on resistance of mice to challenge by Salmonella typhimurium has been investigated. Although restim markedly increases the rate of phagocytosis and clearance of carbon particles, and presumably of viable bacterial cells, this activity has no significant effect on the course of events when restim-treated mice are challenged with S. typhimurium. However, when specific antibody derived from either active or passive immunization of the mice is present, restim significantly enhances resistance as judged by survival time and by 20-day survival.
Insights
A yeast cell wall preparation, restim, enhances mouse resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection only when specific antibodies are present. This immune modulation highlights the importance of antibody presence for restim
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- The reticuloendothelial system (RES) plays a crucial role in host defense against bacterial infections.
- Reticuloendothelial stimulating agents (restim) are known to enhance RES activity, such as phagocytosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of restim, a yeast cell wall preparation, on the resistance of mice to Salmonella typhimurium challenge.
- To determine if enhanced phagocytosis by restim translates to increased resistance in the absence or presence of specific antibodies.
Main Methods:
- Mice were treated with restim, a preparation of yeast cell walls.
- Mice were challenged with Salmonella typhimurium.
- Resistance was assessed by survival time and 20-day survival rates, with and without the presence of specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Restim significantly increased the clearance rate of carbon particles, indicating enhanced phagocytosis.
- Restim treatment alone did not significantly affect the outcome of Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice.
- In the presence of specific antibodies (from active or passive immunization), restim significantly enhanced resistance to S. typhimurium.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced phagocytosis induced by restim is insufficient to confer resistance against S. typhimurium challenge on its own.
- Restim potentiates host resistance to S. typhimurium when specific antibodies are present, suggesting an immunomodulatory role dependent on adaptive immunity.
