CUTANEOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY RESPONSES IN CHICKENS DIVERGENTLY SELECTEDFOR ANTIBODY-RESPONSES TO SHEEP RED-BLOOD-CELLS

Cellular immunity in vivo of chickens selected for high and low antibo dy responses to SRBC was evaluated by primary and secondary cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to BSA and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Similar to PHA-induced DTH, prim ary and secondary cutaneous hypersensitivity to BSA comprised acute (1 - and 2-h), intermediate (4- and 6-h), and late (24-h) wing web swelli ng responses. Primary and secondary hypersensitivity to BSA revealed l ine differences between the High (H) line and a randombred Control (C) line on the one hand, and the Low (L) line on the other hand. Hyperse nsitivity to BSA was almost absent or decreased in the L line. The lat e phase of PHA-induced DTH was significantly elevated in the H line as compared with the L line. Naive recipients sensitized systematically with either serum from chickens sensitized with BSA, or with BSA-bindi ng IgG, developed an antigen-specific early wing web swelling response following local challenge with BSA. It is suggested that the acute co mponent of cutaneous hypersensitivity is mediated by Ig. The acute res ponse may be a prerequisite for the development of classical (late) cu taneous DTH responses or may be initiated simultaneously with DTH. The current results indicate that the selection did not result in a highe r hypersensitivity response to another T cell-dependent antigen and a mitogen in the H line, but in a lower response in the L line.