ANTI-ENZYME IMMUNITY 231 



(1946) reported that lysozyme (from egg white) is capable of attack- 

 ing organism or substrate when either is combined with antibody. 

 Apparently the reaction between the antibacterial serum and the anti- 

 gen does not block the lysozyme-susceptible groupings of the poly- 

 saccharide. 



Smolens and Charney (1947) reported the production of antibody 

 in rabbits against four to six times crystallized egg white lysozyme. 

 This enzyme has a molecular weight of 15,000 to 18,000. Antibody to 

 lysozyme was produced in some rabbits and not in others. Lysozyme 

 immunologically is species specific. 



To varying concentrations of crystalline lysozyme varying dilutions 

 of immune serum were added and incubated at 37°C. for one hour. 

 Then to each mixture a certain volume of M. lysodeikticiis suspension 

 was added and incubated at 37°C. and lysis was observed at various 

 intervals of five-hour periods. Under these conditions the lytic activity 

 of the enzyme was blocked. 



D. HYALURONIDASE OR THE PERMEABILITY FACTOR 



L Discovery of the Permeability Factor 



Duran-Reynals (1928, 1929) discovered that testicular extracts ex- 

 ercised a virus enhancing property. McClean (1930) confirmed the 

 observation of Duran-Reynals and ascribed the effect of testicular ex- 

 tracts to an immediate increase in tissue permeabiHty. The increase in 

 dermal permeability was shown by the rapid disappearance of the bleb 

 produced by the intracutaneous injection of these extracts and by 

 rapid spread through a large area of skin of any suitable colored indi- 

 cator that was injected simultaneously. 



McClean (1931) also stated that testicular extract causes swelling 

 and distortion of the fibre bundles of the dermis. According to Duran- 

 Reynals (1933; see also Hoffmann and Duran-Reynals, 1931) the 

 outstanding properties of the factor derived from tissue are: It en- 

 hances the infectivity of all bacteria and viruses so far tested; it in- 

 creases tissue permeability, as shown by the spread of injected material, 

 and it possibly increases cell permeabilities as shown by experiments 

 on red blood cells and sea urchin eggs. The factor from one species 

 will enhance infections not only in the same species, but in all other 

 species susceptible to the infectious agents. Intravenous injection of 



