In vitro regulation of the anamnesic antibody response upon addition of heterologous antigens to primed lymphoid cells.

Abstract

Alum-precipitated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and polymerized human serum albumin (HSA) were injected into the hind foot pads of rabbits. Many months later the popliteal lymph nodes were removed and cell cultures prepared and incubated in media containing different concentrations of KLH or native HSA. These primed cells responded to some concentrations of KLH with the synthesis not only of homologous antibody but of heterologous IgG antibody to HSA. They also responded to some concentrations of HSA with the production of heterologous antibody to KLH as well as homologous antibody. In some experiments the addition of KLH induced the cells to synthesize as much antibody to HSA as did the addition of HSA itself. The nonspecific stimulation of the anamnestic antibody response to HSA required the cultures to contain KLH, HSA, KLH-reactive memory cells and, presumably memory cells reactive with HSA.The suspension of KLH-and HSA-primed cells responded to other concentrations of KLH or egg albumin (EA) with i...