An adoptive transfer system for the investigation of granuloma formation in murine listeriosis

A system is described for studying adoptive transfer of granuloma formation in infection of mice with the facultative intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. Intravenous injection of graded numbers of L. monocytogenes-immune peritoneal exudate T-enriched cells (PETLEs) together with 5 X 10(4) living L. monocytogenes resulted in dose-dependent accelerated granuloma formation in the livers of recipient mice. The lymphoid cells conferring granuloma formation were T cells by virtue of their nonadherence to nylon wool and sensitivity to anti-Thy 1.2 antiserum plus complement. Since granuloma formation could not be transferred from C57B1/6J donors to BALB/c recepients it is concluded that adoptive transfer of granuloma formation is genetically restricted.