freund's adjuvant

Freund's adjuvant is an immunopotentiating agent comprised of mineral oil, emulsifier (mannide monooleate), and, in its complete form, heat-killed mycobacteria (usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis)[1][4][8]. There are two principal forms: Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), which includes mycobacteria, and Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant (IFA), which lacks the mycobacterial component[1]. As a water-in-oil emulsion, the adjuvant retains antigen at the injection site and dramatically amplifies the immune response by inducing robust local inflammation, promoting recruitment and activation of antigen-presenting cells (e.g., macrophages), and resulting in potent activation of T helper cells and antibody production[1][3][4][5][9]. Due to severe inflammatory toxicity, its use is restricted to research in laboratory animals; it is not approved for use in humans[1][5][7][9].

Brand names

Freund's Complete AdjuvantCFAVax

Other names

freund's adjuvantfreund's complete adjuvantfreund's incomplete adjuvantFCACFAfreund's adjuvant completefreunds complete adjuvantadjuvant complete freundfreund's complete adfreund's complete adjuvant modified