Study with Fluorescent Antibody of Fate of Intradermally Injected Proteins in Rabbits.

Abstract

Egg albumin (Ea) and bovine gamma globulin (BGG), intradermally injd. in rabbits (doses 2 mg., 10 mg.), are taken up by histiocytic cells locally and in peripheral and medullary sinuses of draining lymph node. Large quantities remain extracellular. Polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes, present in large numbers, do not contain intact antigen. In draining nodes, many lymphoid cells in periphery of nodules contain antigen. Ea disappears more quickly than BGG from both skin and node. Passive sensitization and to a greater extent sensitization with Freund''s adjuvants result in slower disappearance of both antigens'' disappearance from both sites. Adjuvant sensitized animals also show speeding up and intensification of phagocytosis of antigen in both localities.