Mechanisms of Antibody Production

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Abstract
There is a strong possibility that the induction of antibody formation is largely a matter of surface interaction between antibody-combining sites on reactive rat lymphoid cells and cell-membrane-associated surface depots of antigens. Passage of minimal quantities of antigen into the lymphocyte nucleus may or may not be a necessary sequel. The ideal site for such reactions to occur is in the lymphoid follicles. Surface-associated antigen in any part of the reticuloendothelial system of the jugular bodies of toads may subserve the same function. After induction, the antigen-reactive cell begins to proliferate, soon loses any antigen it may have contained, moves to an appropriate site (e.g., the medullary cords of lymph nodes or the red pulp cords of the spleen) and differentiated to give mature plasma cells. The germinal center may be a mechanism for ensuring that some primitive cells do not differentiate but remain close to potential antigen depot sites, ready to react to a 2nd wave of antigen; and for producing "memory" small lymphocytes with a long life span, which circulate in the lymphatic system ready to react by dedifferentiation and proliferation on further contact with antigen.