APPLICATION OF A LOCALIZED HEMOLYSIN REACTION FOR SPECIFIC DETECTION OF INDIVIDUAL ANTIBODY-FORMING CELLS

Abstract

A technique is described which makes it possible to detect individual antibody-forming cells using a localized hemolysis reaction in a thickened culture medium containing sheep erythrocytes and guinea pig complement. This technique has the advantage over single cell isolation in that it is technically feasible to survey large populations in order to detect a very small active fraction. The cells can be observed continuously during the time of antibody release, and it appears that an estimate of the relative antibody-forming activity can be made from the size of the areas of lysis. Experiments with metabolic inhibitors indicate that active synthesis is occurring rather than release of preformed antibody. Some experiments on the detection of antibody other than anti-red cell antibodies are reported.