[Stimulation of human and bovine lymphocytes by various Streptococcus species]

Concerning the question of species specifity of lymphokines in the presented examination the effect of the leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LIF) secreted by human and bovine lymphocytes was tested using PMN leukocytes of man and different animal species as indicator cells. The method was the so called indirect leukocyte migration inhibition test according to Clausen. As antigens for stimulating the lymphocytes cell wall preparations of group A- and B-Streptococci and as a mitogen Concanavalin A was used. From the results the following facts can be stated: --Human LIF has no inhibiting effect on the migration of leukocytes from cattle, sheep and pigs--independent of the way of stimulation by specific antigens or by the mitogen. --A corresponding factor to human LIF can be demonstrated from bovine lymphocytes which, however, inhibits only the migration of bovine indicator cells. This phenomenon is also independent of the kind of stimulation. --Migration inhibiting substances from bovine lymphocytes are only produced after stimulation with group A- and B-streptococci cell walls if the donor animals have been sensitized with these antigens. --The interaction between LIF and indicator leukocytes obviously is dependent on host specifity and not on a peculiar relation of macro- and microorganisms.