Antigen-specific induction and regulation of antibody synthesis in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

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Abstract
Culture conditions suitable for specific sensitization of human peripheral blood lymphocytes were established. Production of antibody to sheep erythrocytes and to the 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl group conjugated to burro erythrocytes was investigated in terms of cross-sensitization, feedback control by antibody to the immunogen and regulation by helper and suppressor T [thymus-derived] cells. Generation of antigen-specific antibody-forming cells was restricted to a narrow concentration range of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes. Antibody formation is apparently limited by suppressor T cells in high-cell-density cultures and by low frequencies of helper T cells in low-cell-density cultures.