Some immunomodulating factors in allergic contact dermatitis

The effect of adult thymectomy on antibody production and on the development of contact sensitivity to picryl chloride in mice of different ages was studied. An age-dependent decline in the ability to develop contact sensitivity was found to be counteracted by thymectomy. In contrast, antibody production was regularly decreased by thymectomy in mice of all ages. The results suggest that the development of contact sensitivity is regulated by long-lived thymus-dependent suppressor cells which do not affect antibody formation. In addition, the effect of antibody and of lysolecithin-analogues on the development of contact sensitivity is reported.