MITOTIC ACTIVITY OF IMMUNOLOGICALLY COMPETENT LYMPHOID CELLS TRANSFERRED INTO X-IRRADIATED RECIPIENTS
A study was made to ascertain whether mitotic activity in cell transfer sites could be readily observed by colchicineinduced mitotic arrest, and, if so, whether the rate of division would be sufficient to indicate that antibody- containing cells could develop from a relatively small number of precursors in a manner similar to that in the intact animal. The results showed that antibody production in the cell transfer system is preceded by significant mitotic activity of the transferred lymphoid cells. Lymph node cells were obtained from rabbits immunized by repeated injections of bovine serum albumin (BSA) or bovine gamma -globulin (BGG). Two days before the transfer experiment, recipient rabbits were x irradiated (400 r, total-body) to suppress their immune response, and 100 to 150 million cells were injected subcutaneously into each of three different sites in the abdominal wall; thus, a total of approximates 400 million cells were transferred to each animal. Immediately after transfer, 1.5 mg I/sup 131/-BSA or 2.5 mg I/sup 131/BGG were injected intravenously into the corresponding recipients. Cells in the connective tissue of the injection sites were examined 1-7 days later, morphologically, and by immunofluorescence for the presence of antibody. The results showed that there is a line of cytologic development in the cell transfer site leading to the appearance of the typical plasma cell; this cell and its younger precursors contain antibody. Another line of cytologic development was also present, leading to the formation of a cell resembling superficially plasma cells, but differing from them in size, structure of the nucleus, absence of perinuclear halo, and pale cytoplasm. This cell does not contain antibody. The origin of the antibody-containing cell in the transfer system was traced to the transferred sensitized cells. By use of colchicine to arrest mitosis for 2 hr, it was possible to detect a significant mitotic activity in the cell transfer sites. The observed mitotic rates indicate that from l day to 4 days after transfer and antigenic stimulation the cells presumably capable of division (large and medium lymphoid cells) did divide once or twice per 24-hr period. Similar mitotic rates were observed in lymphoid tissue in the intact animal during an antibody response. Therefore, the antibody-containing cells observed in transfer sites from the fifth day on may have been derived from any cell type capable of division, including the blast cells. It is concluded that these antibody-containing cells in cell transfer sites could be derived from precursors through successive divisions, and that in the cell transfer system, antibody production is preceded by mitotic activity of the transferred lymphoid cells in a manner similar to that of the lymphoid tissue of the intact animal. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Scripps clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, Calif.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-038808
- OSTI ID:
- 4657591
- Journal Information:
- Laboratory Investigation (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 11; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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