Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
Use of streptokinase as a recall antigen for lymphocyte proliferation testing in vitro
L H Youkeles1, M Y Soliman, D L Rosenstreich
1Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. 10461.
Insights
Streptokinase (SK) is a potent recall antigen that stimulates human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. It elicits a strong immune response in adults, unlike in cord-blood lymphocytes, confirming its antigenic properties.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Streptokinase (SK) is an enzyme produced by Streptococcus pyogenes.
- Its role as a recall antigen in stimulating human immune responses requires further elucidation.
- Understanding antigenicity is crucial for vaccine development and immunomodulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate streptokinase (SK) as a recall antigen for in vitro human lymphocyte proliferation.
- To compare the stimulatory capacity of SK with other known antigens.
- To determine the optimal conditions for SK-induced lymphocyte response.
Main Methods:
- Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated with SK in vitro.
- Lymphocyte proliferation was measured using standard assays.
- Comparisons were made with tetanus toxoid, Candida albicans extract, and streptolysin.
- Responses were assessed in adult and cord-blood lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Streptokinase demonstrated potent stimulatory effects on lymphocyte proliferation, exceeding other tested antigens.
- Optimal stimulation was observed at 1000 U/ml, with peak responses between days 6 and 8.
- A high response rate of 82% was recorded in the adult population.
- Lack of response in cord-blood lymphocytes supports SK's role as an antigen, not a mitogen.
Conclusions:
- Streptokinase effectively functions as a potent recall antigen in humans.
- It significantly induces in vitro human lymphocyte proliferation.
- These findings have implications for understanding cellular immunity and potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract:
The use of streptokinase (SK) as a recall antigen (Ag) for stimulation of human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro was evaluated. SK is a potent stimulant, inducing a greater response than three other Ags, tetanus toxoid, Candida albicans extract, or streptolysin. The optimum stimulatory concentration is 1000 U/ml, and peak stimulation occurs between days 6 and 8. Human cord-blood lymphocytes do not respond to SK, suggesting that it is an Ag and not a mitogen. The response rate in an adult population was 82%, higher than the rate of two other Ags tested (tetanus toxoid or Candida). These findings demonstrate the ability of SK to act as a potent recall Ag for human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.
