IMMUNOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF A LYMPHOCYTE MITOGEN ISOLATED FROM COENURUS FLUID OF TAENIA MULTICEPS (CESTODA)

The purification of a mitogen from Taenia multiceps coenurus fluid has been previously reported. in the present study, this activity, which was independent of endotoxin, stimulated the expression of lymphocyte IL-2 and Fc receptors, enhanced mitotic response to phytohaemagglutini n and concanavalin A and antagonised the previously described suppress ive effects of the macrophage modifying fraction of coenurus fluid. Th e mitogen also increased peritoneal macrophage count and viability, Fc receptor expression and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis. The mitoge nic activity could be destroyed by a combination of protease and amyla se, but not by either enzyme alone. it is suggested that the mitogen f orms port of a homeostatic mechanism for the preservation of a balance d host-parasite relationship.