Specificity of antibodies in single cells after immunization with antigens bearing several antigenic determinants. Study with a new paired staining technique

Abstract

The specificity of antibody production by single cells was studied in rabbit splenic cells. The animals were immunized: (a) with two separate antigens, (b) with an artificial conjugate of two distinct antigenic proteins, and (c) with a native molecule bearing several antigenic determinants. A paired staining technique which combines direct immunofluorescent and direct immunoenzymologic methods was used. The results obtained in the different immunization procedures support the narrow specificity of the cellular antibody production. Theoretical implications of the results are briefly discussed.