[Effect of schizophyllan on delayed hypersensitivity in the mouse (author's transl)]

The delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity test with picryl chloride was used to demonstrate the effect of sonicated schizophyllan (SPG-S) on cellular immunity in mice. The increase of ear thickness in mice treated with SPG-S (0.5 approximately 10.0 mg/kg) 24 hours before the sensitization with picryl chloride proved to be significantly larger than that in untreated mice on testing with picryl chloride at 7 days following sensitization. Mice were intramuscularly injected with SPG-S (5.0 mg/kg) on -48, -24, 0, +24 or +48 hours of sensitization. Remarkable stimulating effect of SPG-S on the delayed hypersensitivity was recognized in all groups of mice, being somewhat lower in the group treated with SPG-S 48 hours after the sensitization. Stimulating effects of lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen and SPG-S on the delayed hypersensitivity were compared. The effect of SPG-S was similar to that of concanavalin A, a nonspecific stimulant for T cells.