Local Formation of Antibody by the Skin

Abstract

One of the basic problems of local tissue-immunity is the relationship of immune bodies to the reaction, Besredka 1 minimizes their importance and defines local immunity as “an immunity without the obligatory participation of antibodies”. Gay 2 takes a broader view in defining the condition as “a locally superior mechanism for the disposal of a particular microorganism” and considers that it may be demonstrated either by the local presence of antibodies before their appearance elsewhere in the body, by their local presence in greater concentration than elsewhere, or by a superior method of direct disposal of bacteria in the particular area in question.

Cannon and Pacheco 3 have described the “fixation” of virulent staphylococci in the skin of guinea pigs which had been locally immunized by intradermal injections of a staphylococcal vaccine. This immunization caused thickening of the subcutis by a dense layer of newly formed histiocytic tissue. Living staphylococci, when introduced into such a tissue, remained localized in a small area so that, in general, the animals suffered no serious effects. Similar injections into normal guinea pigs, however, led to a cellulitis and the death of many animals from generalized sepsis. Microscopical examinations showed the staphylococci concentrated in clumps and masses in the locally immunized tissues, whereas the microorganisms were diffusely disseminated through the subcutis of the normal animals. The assumption was made that an important element in the mechanism of fixation was an antigen-antibody reaction whereby the bacteria were opsonized and agglutinated by antibodies formed in loco by the histiocytes which had been mobilized during the period of local immunization. As a secondary reaction, leucocytes then infiltrated the area and kept the bacteria localized, thus preventing generalization with its serious consequences.