[The cellular mechanisms of antianthrax immunity]

The influence of the vaccination of mice and volunteers on the activity of natural killer cells (NKC) and K cells, the effectors of natural and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity of cells, was studied. Both types of killer cells were found to take an active part in the vaccinal process during the whole term of observation. The changes revealed in this study were characterized by two phases. At the first contact with the antigen a rise in the activity of killer cells was observed; this rise was then followed by their pronounced suppression, reflecting total structural changes which occurred in the infected macroorganism. Repeated injections of the antigen induced mainly the activation of K cells. The use of protective antibodies contained in the commercial preparation of antianthrax globulin exerted influence on the duration of changes in the activity of NKC and K cells of the infected animals.