Induction of a hemolysin response in vitro. II. Influence of the thymus-derived cells during the development of the antibody-producing cells.

Spleen cells of bone marrow chimeras (B cells) and of irradiated mice injected with thymus cells and heterologous erythrocytes (educated T cells) were mixed and cultured together (17). The number of PFC developing in these cultures was dependent both on the concentration of the B cells and of the educated T cells. In excess of T cells the number of developing PFC is linearly dependent on the number of B cells. At high concentrations of T cells more PFC developed; the increase in the number of PFC was greatest between the 3rd and 4th day of culture. Increased numbers of educated T cells also assisted the development of PFC directed against the erythrocytes. It is concluded that the T cells not only play a role during the triggering of the precursor cells but also during the time of proliferation of the B cells; close contact between B and T cells seems to be needed to allow the positive activity of the T cells.