ANTIGENIC PROPERTIES OF THE EXTRACT OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS SEEDS (PHYTOHAEMAGGLUTININ) ROUTINELY USED IN LEUCOCYTE CULTURES

Abstract

SummaryTwo rabbits were immunized with an extract of the red kidney bean Phaseolus vulgaris. Sera obtained before and after immunization were tested for the presence of antibodies against components and biological activities of the bean extract.By immuno‐electrophoresis it was shown that‐(1) before immunization there was some precipitation between the α and β globulins of normal serum and the bean extract;(2) after immunization there was precipitation also between γ globulin and the extract, the immune serum precipitating with 5‐7 components of the bean extract;(3) several of these antigenic components ran together electrophoretically and occupied that region of the strip from winch haemagglutinin and lymphocyte growth factor were eluted. Two antigens in this region were absorbed out of the extract by blood cells, as were the haemagglutinin and lymphocyte growth factor.Immune rabbit sera inhibited both the lymphocyte growth factor and the substance toxic for macrophages. Similar inhibitory activity was detected in serum from a patient with aplastic anaemia who had been treated with injections of bean extract. Immune rabbit sera also reduced the haemagglutinating activity of the extract and inhibited the skin reactions produced in guinea pigs by intradermal injection of the bean extract. The histology of the skin lesion is described.Immediate haemorrhagic skin reactions and anaphylactic shock were produced in guinea pigs previously immunized with the bean extract and Freund's adjuvant.