Specific cellular stimulation in the primary immune response: a quantized model.

A general theory for the initial phase of T cell independent immune response is derived from elementary physical-chemical considerations and from the premise that response entails a quantized linkage of cell surface receptors. The theory leads to the construction of explicit antigen dose--response and antigen dose--suppression curves, to the calculation of intrinsic affinities for receptors, and to the deduction that receptors are divalent in character. The theory may be applicable to other cell surface phenomena wherein requirements for stimulation and suppression are equivalent to those found in the immune system.