Abstract
Three antigens, bovine serum albumin, tetanus toxoid, and Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin were used in conjunction with 35% DMSO to test this chemical's ability to carry the antigen across the intact skin of previously unexposed guinea pigs. Evidence of percutaneous absorption was assessed by measuring specific antibody by passive hemagglutination techniques. At the same time each antigen was given parenterally with 35% DMSO in order to determine whether DMSO had any adjuvant effect in immunization procedures. The time of antibody appearance as well as the strength of the response (titer) were monitored by passive hemagglutination. At the onset of the experiment it was determined that 50% DMSO caused a dense floccular precipitate in the 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) antigen. Double diffusion in agar and immunoelectrophoresis was employed to determine the extent of denaturation caused by the precipitation. It was found that even at a concentration of 50%, DMSO did not change the immunological specificity of the BSA. Addition of DMSO to achieve a 35% concentration did not cause precipitation or immunological changes in the BSA as evidenced by double diffusion identity lines and similar patterns of electrophoretic mobility with native BSA. Immunization of guinea pigs by percutaneous application of 1% BSA in 35% DMSO evoked low titers (1:2) in a majority of the animals whereas 1% BSA alone did not result in an antibody response as seen in passive hemagglutination titers. Further, 35% DMSO in conjunction with 1% BSA given intraperitoneally evoked slightly higher titers in guinea pigs than did BSA alone. There was no difference in the time of appearance of the antibodies between any of the test groups. ...
Mason, Edward Orys (1972). Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an adjunct to immunization. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -185358.