Recall antigens

Antigens(allergens) derived from bacteria and fungi (tetanus, diphtheria, streptococci, tuberculin, candida, proteus) that cause an immune response in a large proportion of healthy subjects. They are used to test the cell-mediated immunity (delayed type reaction; type IV reaction) in an intradermal test. Significantly weakened or absent are immunological reactions to recall antigens in sarcoidosis; they can also be significantly reduced in chronic HIV infection (Nicholas KJ et al.2017).

Upon exposure to an antigen to which the individual has previously been exposed, memory B and T lymphocytes proliferate very rapidly and differentiate into effector cells. This rapid recall response is crucial to control the extent of infection or prevent it.

1. Akbar AN et al (2013) Investigation of the cutaneous response to recall antigen in humans in vivo. Clin Exp Immunol 173:163-172.
2. Nicholas KJ et al (2017) Chronic HIV-1 Infection Impairs Superantigen-Induced Activation of Peripheral CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ Cells, With Relative Preservation of Recall Antigen-Specific Responses. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 74:72-80.
3. Peschl P et al (2015) Antibody responses following induction of antigen-specific tolerance with antigen-coupled cells. Mult Scler 21:651-655.
4. Schweighoffer T (1996) Tumor cells expressing a recall antigen are powerful cancer vaccines. Eur J Immunol 26:2559-1564.