Responses of human peripheral lymphocytes to soluble and insoluble antigens of Candida albicans.

Responses of peripheral lymphocytes from the blood of 20 healthy volunteers were determined in vitro by measurement of tritiated thymidine uptake in the presence of six different antigens prepared from Candida albicans. Crude antigens (disintegrated cells, culture filtrate) produced greater lymphoblast reactivity than purified preparations (cytoplasmic proteins, cell-wall mannan). Reactions to soluble mannan were uncommon but the number of subjects who responded to them increased from one to 14 when the material was rendered particulate by adsorption on to latex particles. Lymphocyte responses were also elicited by intact, heat-killed yeast cells.