In Vitro Cooperation of Cells of Bone Marrow and Thymus Origins in the Generation of Antibody-Forming Cells

Abstract

B cells and T cells cooperate in the in vitro generation of hemolytic plaque-forming cells to sheep, horse and burro erythrocytes. The B cells are obtained from the spleens of lethally irradiated mice injected with bone marrow cells. The T cells are obtained from the spleens of lethally irradiated mice injected with thymus cells and heterologous erythrocytes. Both cell populations are obtained after 7 days residence in the irradiated hosts. Neither cell population can respond when cultured alone. The in vitro function of B cells, but not T cells, is inactivated by exposure to 2000 R γ irradiation. The T cells function best in in vitro response to the erythrocyte antigens with which they were injected into the irradiated hosts. Responses were also generated to other foreign erythrocytes and to the trinitrophenyl hapten coupled to erythrocyte carriers.