[Induction of macrophage migration inhibition factor-producing cells in vitro]

The in vitro induction of effector cells mediating delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses was demonstrated during joint cultivation of plastic non-adherent spleen cells of intact CBA mice and adherent spleen cells pretreated with MBSA or OVA. The activity of these effector cells was studied by testing their ability to produce MIF after stimulation by a specific antigen. The formation of MIF-producing cells was observed with the use of low antigen doses (about 50 micrograms/ml). High OVA doses (250 micrograms/ml) were found to suppress the development of MIF-producing cells. MIF-producing cells obtained after either in vitro or in vivo exposure to identical antigens did not differ in their activity.