The transfer of lymph node cells in the study of the immune response to foreign proteins

A secondary immune response to the soluble foreign protein antigens I*BSA and I*BGG has been demonstrated when lymph node cells, largely lymphocytes with a few reticulo-endothelial and plasma cells, from previously immunized rabbits were transferred to x-radiated recipient rabbits, and the recipients then challenged with antigen. The total specific antibody synthesized by the transferred cells during the first 8 days of the secondary response amounted to approximately (2/3) of the wet weight of the transferred cells. In an attempt to elicit a primary response, lymph node cells were obtained from normal, non-immunized donors, and transferred to x-radiated recipients. No immune response was observed upon antigenic stimulation. When normal or previously immunized lymph node cells were incubated with antigen for periods up to 1 hour, washed and injected into recipients, no antibody production was observed.