Role of distant interactions of lymphocytes in the development of antibody formationin vitro

Abstract

To elucidate the nature of local intercellular interactions inhibiting the proliferation of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in culture, described previously, the possibility of realization of this effect at a distance was studied. A population containing many cells was shown to be capable of inhibiting, by its actionin vitro at a distance, an increase in the number of AFC in a cell population separated from it by Millipore membranes impermeable to cells. This effect is also transmitted through a polymethylmethacrylate film, 5–10 μ thick, which does not allow the passage of proteins with a molecular weight of 150,000 daltons ([125I]IgG antibodies) and certain ions (51CrO4), but is permeable to other low-molecular-weight substances.