Parasite- (antigen) specific stimulation of B and T cells in African trypanosomiasis.

C57BL/6J mice were immunized with irradiated Trypanosoma rhodesiense organisms. Splenic lymphocytes were subsequently obtained from immunized animals and were tested for blast transformation in vitro after exposure to soluble trypanosome antigens. Immune T lymphocytes were found to be the cells responsible for antigen-mediated blastogenesis to trypanosome antigens. In addition, trypanosome antigen preparations in higher concentrations stimulated B lymphocytes obtained from normal nonimmunized animals.