APPEARANCE OF NONSPECIFIC ANTIBODY-FORMING-CELLS IN EFFERENT LYMPH DRAINING ANTIGEN-STIMULATED SINGLE LYMPH-NODES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (1) , 81-89
Abstract
Immunization of [sheep] single lymph nodes with various antigens led to the appearance of cells in the efferent lymph that secreted antibody specific for the antigen which induced their formation and for a number of unrelated, non-crossreacting antigens. Immunization of single lymph nodes with mitogens led to the appearance of cells secreting antibodies specific for an even greater number of antigens, including one (TNP [trinitrophenol]) that probably is not present in the animals'' natural environment. When the node was primed with 1 antigen, a subsequent challenge with an unrelated antigen 12 wk later led to the appearance of greater numbers of cells containing and secreting antibody against the previously experienced antigen than was the case in unprimed lymph nodes. The immune response to antigen apparently provokes the maturation of lymphocytes of specificities unrelated to that of the injected immunogen. Such a mechanism may be important in maintaining immunological memory. Mitogens may directly activate lymphocytes into maturation and expression as antibody-secreting cells, whereas antigens appear to act indirectly.