LOCALIZATION OF 125I-LABELLED ANTIGEN IN GERMINAL CENTRES OF MOUSE SPLEEN - EFFECTS OF COMPETITIVE INJECTION OF SPECIFIC OR NON-CROSS-REACTING ANTIGEN

  • 1 January 1968
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (1) , 75-+
Abstract
Studies were performed on localization of 1251-human -^ -globulin in spleen lymphatic tissue germinal centers during the primary and secondary immune response as influenced by competitive injections of specific or non-cross-reacting antigens. Isologous mouse 7S serum protein labelled with 125I was used as the control. Antigen retention in germinal centers during the primary immune reaction is a dynamic process. For some antigens there may be opsonins available at the time of injection which promote initial localization in germinal centers. However, the continued localization of antigen over weeks and months is a function of specific antibody production. For some period of time, germinal centers are specific to the antigen that stimulated their development, and eventually these centers will respond to a different antigen. Antigen persisting in germinal centers is functional in the development of the secondary immune potential.