Antigen Stimulated Proliferation in Lymphoid and Myeloid Tissues from Immunized Rabbits.

Abstract

Summary Suspensions of cells from spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, popliteal lymph nodes, bone marrow, peripheral leukocytes, thymus, and alveolar macrophages were prepared from the tissues of hyperimmune rabbits. An in vitro secondary response, as measured by the uptake of tritiated thymi-dine, was elicited in spleen or lymph node cultures when incubated with the immunizing antigen. The uptake of tritiated thymi-dine represented an increased rate of DNA synthesis and was associated with division of the responding cells. A similar response was not seen in cultures of thymus cells, peripheral leukocytes or alveolar macrophages. The rate of DNA synthesis in cultures of bone marrow cells was depressed when they were incubated with either the immunizing antigen or phytohemagglutinin.