Effects of reduced temperature on the components of human lymphocyte transformation responses to antigens.

The present studies were designed to determine the site at which reduced temperature, such as that found at the skin surface, affects the lymphocyte transformation response to an antigenic stimulus. Extracts of Candida albicans and Pityrosporum orbiculare were used as antigens since most normal subjects demonstrate positive lymphocyte responses to both. Total lymphocyte transformation responses to both antigens were reduced and delayed at 34.5 as compared with 37 degrees C. The former temperature did not significantly affect the numbers of antigen-responsive cells, as estimated by limiting dilution analysis. However, the response of first-generation lymphocytes to both antigens was significantly reduced at the lower temperature. There did not seem to be any significant differences between the two antigens with respect to the effects of the reduced temperature on the resulting lymphocyte transformation response or its components. Therefore, the present data suggest that reduced temperature suppresses antigen-stimulated lymphocyte transformation by affecting the later stages of this response.