The Effect of Phytohemagglutinin on the Primary Antibody Response of Mice to Rat Erythrocytes and Human Gamma Globulin

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Abstract
Mice were given rat erythrocytes or human gamma globulin (HGG) at various intervals before and after the Intravenous administration of erythroagglutinin-free phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Significant enhancement of antibody formation occurred when rat erythrocytes were given 3 and 5 days after PHA and was felt to have resulted because of the presence of increased numbers of lymphoid cells capable of responding to the antigen. Marked suppression of antibody formation occurred when HGG was given 1 day after PHA. Less pronounced but definite suppression was also observed when HGG was given 3 and 5 days after PHA. The reason for this suppression is unknown, but the time of maximum suppression indicates that PHA interferes during the early phase of the induction of antibody by HGG.