Primary antibody response in organ cultures.

Specific antibody formation has been elicited in vitro following antigenic stimulation by either sheep (in a total of 472 of 875 cultures) or chick erythrocytes (in 65 of 135 cultures tested). The response was manifested by mouse spleen and lymph node explants whereas thymus cultures were inactive. The reaction has been characterized as a primary immune response in view of its kinetics as compared to defined primary and secondary responses, the effect of 2-mercaptoethanol on the antibodies formed, its subject to puromycin inhibition and its sensitivity to X-irradiation. Histological studies revealed preservation of the lymphoid cell populations throughout the entire experimental period.