IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITIES OF NOCARDIA-OPACA

Nocardia lysozyme digest (NLD), a particulate fraction from Nocardia o paca, is able to induce antitumor activity to SaL-1 tumor cells (lung sarcoma) in Balb/c mice. In mice immunized with NLD inhibition of tumo r growth and prolonged survival of tumor bearing animals was observed. Macrophages isolated from peritoneal cavity and stimulated with NLD r elease a few arachidonic acid metabolites, mostly PGE 2. Macrophages f rom tumor bearing mice are more sensitive to Nocardia antigens than no rmal. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have documented that Nocar dia is an active immunomodulator.