Specific in vitro antibody response to influenza virus by human blood lymphocytes

Advances in understanding of human immune responses depend, for obvious reasons, on the use of in vitro techniques for culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). We report here that specific antibody responses to influenza virus can readily be obtained using simple, reproducible methods. The system will be useful for the analysis of the cellular requirements for antibody production, the genetics of immune responsiveness and in clinical studies of immunosuppressed and immunodeficient patients.