Macrophages, Nucleic Acids, and the Induction of Antibody Formation: A Review

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Literature concerning antibody formation, protein synthesis and cytodifferentiation is reviewed with the object of relating the three phenomena. An analogy is drawn between the capacity of certain cell substances to induce phenotypic changes in other cells and the initiation of antibody synthesis. It is pointed out that macrophages ingest large quantities of antigen but do not appear to produce antibody. The suggestion is therefore made that antigen is merely altered by the macrophages but that the altered antigen then serves as inducer of antibody formation in potential antibody-producing cells. Further noting the known role of nucleoproteins in protein synthesis, as well as the reported association of antigen with these substances, nucleoproteins are discussed as possible intercellular mediators of antibody formation. In this respect the ability of X-rays to prevent primary antibody formation is related to an effect on nucleic acid metabolism. It is proposed that rather than preventing antibody synthesis, X-irradiation prior to immunization produces modified nucleic acid precursors which ultimately result in the production of aberrant (non-reactive) forms of antibody protein. The authors conclude with the recommendation that, because of its high macrophage content and its inability to produce antibodies, the liver is the logical organ with which to investigate such a mechanism of induction of antibody synthesis.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: