Skin window chambers, a novel method for recovering the cells involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity

A method is described for the recovery of cells involved in the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in man. A small plastic chamber was placed over DTH sites from which the stratum corneum had been removed by tape stripping. The chambers were then filled with serum. Analysis of cells harvested at 24 and 48 h has shown an antigen-dependent increment in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells in donors with a DTH response. T cell clones were established from the recovered cells; these will provide a useful adjunct to a functional analysis of cells participating in the DTH reaction.