A simple and effective method to assess murine delayed type hypersensitivity to proteins.

Mice sensitized with various protein antigens emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant by a subcutaneous injection at the base of the tail exhibited both immediate and delayed type hypersensitivities 7-8 days following sensitization. Hypersensitivity was assessed by the degree of footpad swelling elicited by challenge with a heat-aggregated form of the antigen. The swelling response was specific for the antigen used for sensitization and often resulted in a near doubling of footpad thickness. Histological examination is conjunction with studies having passive transfer of serum and adoptive transfer of either T cell-enriched or T cell-depleted preparations indicated that whereas the immediate swelling response was achieved with serum, the delayed swelling response was mediated by T lymphocytes. Adoptive transfer of specific delayed type hypersensitivity was also accomplished with small numbers of lymph node T cells obtained following in vitro enrichment and propagation.