The Effect of X-Ray Irradiation upon the Sequence of Immune Globulins Following Initial Immunization in the Rabbit

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Abstract
Summary: The effect of x-ray irradiation upon the sequential formation of immune globulins was studied. With increasing doses of total body irradiation, a delay in the appearance of γ2-globulin antibody was observed, whereas only a slight delay in the timing of the initial detection and minimal diminution in the over-all titer of γ1M-macroglobulin antibody was noted. After lethal irradiation during which various portions of the animal's lymphoid tissue was shielded, a prolonged period of exclusive γ1M-macroglobulin synthesis was demonstrated. The restoration of immunopoietic tissue during the shielding procedures could be accomplished with the cells of the spleen, appendix, hind limb and peripheral blood. Simultaneous immunization of shielded and normal tissue after lethal irradiation demonstrated a normal sequential formation of antibodies to that antigen used to inject the shielded tissue but specific inhibition of γ2-globulin antibody to that antigen used to inject irradiated tissue. Various hypotheses which attempt to explain the relative resistance of the γ1M-macroglobulin phase of the immune response as compared to the γ2-globulin phase to total body irradiation were discussed.