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Freund's adjuvant (CAS NO.9007-81-2) is an antigen solution emulsified in mineral oil. It is a water in oil emulsion. The so-called complete form (CFA or FCA) is composed of inactivated and dried mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the pathogenic agent of tuberculosis).The so-called incomplete form (IFA or FIA) is the same adjuvant, but without the mycobacterial components (hence just the water in oil emulsion).
Freund's adjuvant is effective in stimulating cell-mediated immunity and may lead to the potentiation of the production of certain immunoglobulins, but this effect depends on the animal model used.For animal research there are currently guidelines associated with its use, due to its painful reaction and potential for tissue damage. Its use in humans is forbidden by regulatory authorities, due to its toxicity. Injections of CFA should be subcutaneous or intraperitoneal.
Freund's adjuvant is known to stimulate production of tumor necrosis factor, which is thought to kill the T-cells responsible for the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic Beta cells. Still in question is whether the regrowth of functional insulin-producing cells occurs due to differentiation and proliferation of existing pancreatic stem cells, or whether the injected spleen cells re-differentiate to an insulin producing form. Denise Faustman, whose work has been central to developing the protocol, has suggested that both mechanisms may play a role. However, in experiments to verify and examine her work, Suri reported that DNA-based evidence yielded no sign of spleen cell derivatives in pancreatic islet Beta cells analyzed after treatments.
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