In vitro analysis of delayed immune response in a bat, Pteropus giganteus: process of con-A mediated activation.

In vitro activation of lymphocytes from the bat, Pteropus giganteus with Con A has been analysed in terms of blastogenesis, DNA synthesis and the effector function, the cytotoxic response. We have observed that lymphocytes of P. giganteus are capable of responding to Con A stimulus and the peak of blastogenesis, DNA synthesis and cytotoxic response have been found at 120 hours with the optimal dose of 10 micrograms X ml-1 Con A; it seems the process of activation in the bat's lymphocytes is delayed compared to this in mice. Significance of this delay in the process of activation of immune response in the bat has been discussed.