Local Formation of Antibody by the Nasal Mucosa

Abstract

The importance of the upper respiratory tract as a portal of entry for pathogenic micro-organisms amply justifies attempts to increase its resistance against their invasion. We have recently shown 1 that the local introduction of antigen into an area of mobilized histiocytes leads to the local formation of specific antibody. We have extended such studies to the nasal mucosa, assuming that a similar response might be obtained there following repeated applications of an antigen. This assumption was based on the probable mobilization of cells of inflammation in the mucosa, with consequent fixation of antigen among differentiated histiocytes.

Rabbits were treated intranasally at daily intervals of 2 to 13 days with a formolized vaccine of Bact. paratyphosum B., either by insufflation (2), by instillation alone (12), or by instillation subsequent to earlier instillation of ox bile (1). The animals were then allowed to rest for 1 to 12 days, and were sacrificed. The nasal mucosa, lung, liver, spleen, and blood serum were mixed with 15 parts of a solution of equal parts of glycerol and 0.85% solution of sodium chloride. They were then ground in a mortar, with the exception of the serum, and extracted at 37°C. for 7 days. These extracts were titrated simultaneously against a living suspension of Bact. paratyphosum B. Six of the 19 animals were perfused with citrated salt solution immediately after death to remove the blood as far as possible from the organs to be extracted. Most of the blood was removed from all except the spleen.

The content of agglutinin in the nasal mucosa in animals treated daily by insufflation or instillation for at least 11 days was always distinctly higher than that of either the spleen or liver.