Studies on the transfer of antibody-producing capacity. I. The transfer of antibody-producing cells to young animals

Abstract

Normal adult spleen cells were antigenically stimulated by incubation with isolated flagella from Salmonella bacteria, and after neutralization of free antigen and washing, were transferred to normal and sublethally X-irradiated mice and rats of various ages by intraperitoneal injection. Neonatal rats and Hall Institute mice could not produce antibody following such injections, but more mature rats and Hall Institute mice, and neonatal C₃H mice, could produce antibody.

Cells from immunized spleens were secondarily stimulated in vitro and transferred to neonatal and more mature recipients. Regardless of the age of the recipients, antibody production typical of a secondary response ensued.

Cells from neonatal rat spleens were stimulated in vitro and transferred to more mature recipient rats. Some antibody production resulted.

The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.