Evaluation of the Role of Skin Peptides Isolated from Rana tigrina in Cellular and Humoral Immunity in Normal and DL-Bearing Mice

In the present study, the peptides secreted by the dorsal skin of Rana tigrina have been isolated and its effects on cellular and humoral immunity has been studied in normal and tumor bearing mice. To evaluate the role of the peptide in cellular immunity delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response has been assayed in normal and DL (Dalton’s lymphoma) bearing mice and the effect of the skin peptides on humoral immunity has been evaluated by hemolytic plaque assay. The DTH response was assayed by the mice ear swelling test as described by Phanuphak et. al. (1974). The number of antibody forming cells in the spleen of SRBC (Sheep RBC) immunized mice was determined by the standard Jerne hemolytic plaque assay (Jerne, 1963) as modified by Cunningham (1968). The results show that the percentage suppression of ear swelling is significantly higher in peptide treated normal as well as DL-bearing mice. This suggests that frog peptide is a good suppressor of inflammatory response and thus a potent booster of cellular immunity. In hemolytic plaque assay a significant increase in the number of plaque forming cells (antibody producing cells) has been observed in peptide treated normal and DL-bearing mice as compared to untreated (control) mice. This suggests the potential role of peptide in antibody mediated (humoral) immune response.