[Comparison of intrasplenic immunization with other types of antigen application]

Mice have been immunized intrasplenic (i.l.), i.p., or i.v. with different doses of bovine gammaglobulin (RGG). The number of antigen reactive cells (ARZ) in the spleen was measured by immune rosette technique. Antibodies were detected by passive hemagglutination. The i.l. immunization induced no higher numbers of ARZ than the other ways of antigen application, but the maximum arose earlier, already at the third day. The most ARZ were B lymphocytes. Very low doses of antigen induced antibodies only with i.l. immunization. Most antibodies at the maximum of the primary immune response were of IgM class. A typical secondary response could not be elicited following i.l. priming. Our investigations don't refer to advantages of i.l. immunization for hybridoma techniques.