Sites of biosynthesis of immunoglobulins in guinea-pigs immunized with bacteriophage phi-X174

Abstract

The sites of biosynthesis of 19S and 7S antibody in the guinea-pig were determined by assay of the phage neutralizing activity in in vitro cultures of lymph node, bone marrow and splenic tissues from guinea-pigs immunized with bacteriophage ΦX174. Per unit weight of tissue, much higher levels of 19S antibody were synthesized by bone marrow tissue cultures than by those of the spleen or the lymph nodes draining the site of antigen injection. On the other hand, the levels of synthesis of 7S antibody per unit weight of tissue were higher in cultures of the homolateral and contralateral lymph nodes draining the site of injection into the footpad than in cultures of spleen or bone marrow. Evidence was presented that the phage neutralizing activity observed was, in fact, due to synthesis of specific antibody.