Antibody Synthesis in Relation to Levels of Humoral and Cell-Fixed Antibodies in Rabbits

Abstract

The rate of antibody synthesis was measured in vitro in fragments of spleens taken from rabbits killed at different times following an intravenous injection of human serum albumin (HSA), using the method based on the incorporation of C¹⁴-amino acids. The values for synthesis were compared with the levels of “cell-fixed” antibodies, as expressed by uptake in vitro of I¹³¹-HSA, and also with the levels of precipitating antibodies in the sera, and with the capacity of the sera to confer on normal cells the ability to adsorb antigen (“cytophilic” antibody). The investigation was carried out using rabbits which had received a single dose of antigen, rabbits which had received two injections, and hyperimmunized rabbits which had received a booster injection of antigen.