Passive Transfer of Bone Marrow Homotransplantation Immunity with Specific Antisera

Abstract

The intraperitoneal injection of specific antisera (anti-C₂H mouse spleen cells) prevented the protective effect of C₃H strain bone marrow (i.e., homologous) injected intravenously into lethally X-irradiated (LxA)F₁ hybrid mice. When this antiserum was absorbed in vitro with packed C₃H erythrocytes (washed free of leukocytes), no loss of anti-bone marrow activity of the antiserum could be observed. Injection of anti-C₃H erythrocyte serum did not prevent the “takes” of C₃H bone marrow. Anti-LAF₁ spleen serum (prepared in A mice) had no deleterious effect on protection by bone marrow when LAF₁ bone marrow (i.e., isologous) was administered to lethally irradiated LAF₁ host mice. In this instance, it is considered that the isoantibodies are absorbed out by the host tissue isoantigens, permitting little if any antibody to reach the injected marrow cells. Following in vitro incubation of isologous or homologous marrow cells with specific antisera, the protective effect of the marrow was diminished greatly. The question of cells versus antibody in the homograft reaction was discussed. It is concluded that dissociated cell homografts (such as bone marrow cells) can be rejected by humoral isoantibodies per se.