Effect of Endotoxin on Antibody Production by Chicken Spleen Cells Transferred to Chick Chorioallantois

Abstract

The effect of endotoxin on the antibody response to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by adult chicken spleen cells transferred to chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been studied under various conditions. Spleen cells from donor chickens given endotoxin either 24 hr prior to or in conjunction with antigen produced significant amounts of antibody on chick membranes 4 to 7 days after transfer. This process was demonstrable even when cells were taken as early as 1 hr after antigen injection of endotoxin treated donors. The antibody response by cells of donors given antigen and endotoxin simultaneously 48 hr prior to transfer appeared to be depressed. Spleen cells from normal chickens consistently produced antibodies on the chick membranes when removed 48 hr after antigenic stimulation of donors. Possible explanations for these observations have been discussed.