[Exploration of humoral immunity in man using blood lymphocytes cultures (author's transl)]

New methods allow the study of humoral immunity in man using blood lymphocyte cultures. A primary in vitro antibody response can be induced, characterized by the appearance of antibody forming cells, and its pattern is as follows: stringent culture requirements, which have been so far obtained in few laboratories; the kinetics of the response, with a peak on day 7--8; and exclusively IgM response; a T-cell requirement. Among these methods, the model we have described has the advantage of allowing a reproductible response in a given individual. The in vitro study of humoral immunity has limitations, the most apparent of which is that it addresses itself to only one lymphoid population, that in peripheral blood, easily accessible. It presents several advantages, as compared to an in vivo study after injection of an antigen: absence of ethical problem; the necessity of only one blood sample, at a given time, avoiding the interference of a treatment started after the test; the possibility of performing successive primary stimulations for a longitudinal study.