Immunogenicity of tobacco smoke components in rabbits and mice.

Several extracts of tobacco leaf and tobacco smoke components were tested for their ability to stimulate and react with antibodies. Two experimental animal models, mice producing reaginic antibody and rabbits producing precipitating antibody, were used in this study. Results indicate that tobacco smoke extracts can stimulate immune responses to tobacco leaf antigens in rabbits and mice. The immunogen is apparently not a product of incineration because air passed through unlit cigarettes clearly extracted the antigenic component.