Antibody Response of Rhesus Monkeys to a Density Gradient Purified Murine Leukemia Virus (Rauscher)

Abstract

Summary The antibody response of 10 rhesus monkeys to a murine leukemia virus (Rauscher) was studied at weekly intervals following primary and secondary stimulation. Virus obtained from the viremic plasma of BALB/c mice and purified and concentrated by density gradient centrifugation was used for immunization and as the antigen in serologic tests. Serum antibodies were measured by the tanned cell HA and micro-immunodiffusion methods, and the properties of these antibodies were determined by density gradient centrifugation and by reduction with 2-ME. In general, antibody was usually detectable after a primary injection of virus in Freund's adjuvant on the 14th day as shown by HA and on the 28th day by immunodiffusion tests. Heavy (19S), 2-ME-sensitive antibody appeared first and was followed by the light (7S), 2-ME-resistant antibody. Strong reactions were measured by both tests following secondary stimulation on the 28th day with virus without adjuvant. There was a minimal recurrence of 2-ME-sensitive 19S antibody, but the heightened and prolonged response observed was primarily the result of the presence of high levels of 7S antibody. Evidence for the presence of two distinct antigens of the virion is also presented.