[Effect of Staphylococcus aureus antigens on splenic lymphocytes of immunized guinea pigs]

Staphylococcal antigens were shown to exert mitogenic effect on DNA synthesis by guinea-pig spleen lymphocytes. Intact guinea-pigs and protein A-immunized animals manifested an increase in DNA synthesis by spleen lymphocytes irresponsive to lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin but responding to Con A. A different effect was observed in the animals immunized with the intact Cowan-I cells. Cowan-I cells of the immune animal's spleen poorly responded to protein A, lipopolysaccharide and phytohemagglutinin. Basing on the evidence obtained the authors discuss the possible mechanisms of the proliferative activity of the splenocytes of intact and immune animals in response to Staphylococcus aureus antigens and non-specific B- and T-mitogens.