In vitro sensitization and stimulation of bovine lymphocytes with encapsulated or nonencapsulated Smith strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

An in vitro immunization procedure was developed, whereby bovine blood and mammary gland lymphocytes were isolated, and their blastogenic responses (measured by [3H]thymidine uptake) to sensitization and subsequent stimulation with selected antigens were determined. Capsular extracts of Staphylococcus aureus, encapsulated S aureus, and nonencapsulated S aureus were used as test antigens. Differences were observed between kinetics of the secondary response to encapsulated and nonencapsulated S aureus. The secondary response to nonencapsulated S aureus peaked in 48 hours, whereas the secondary response to the encapsulated S aureus peaked in 72 hours. The delayed peak response to encapsulated S aureus was observed only when encapsulated S aureus was used for sensitization of lymphocytes, regardless of whether the encapsulated or nonencapsulated strain was used for stimulation. Sensitization of lymphocytes with the nonencapsulated strain and stimulation with the encapsulated strain did not alter the kinetics of the secondary response of cells sensitized with the nonencapsulated strain. Seemingly, T and B cells were responsive to in vitro immunization with S aureus antigens.