Primary in vitro mouse B-cell response induced by self-hormone-coupled self-albumin.

[3H'-thymidine incorporation above control levels was observed when normal mouse spleen cells were cultured with pituitary hormone-coupled albumins. Most striking was the observation of proliferation with self-hormone-coupled self-albumin, for instance vasopressin-coupled mouse serum albumin. The proliferating cells were not sensitive to anti-Thy 1 antiserum plus complement and were present in nude mouse spleens. Proliferation was accompanied with the appearance of antibody-forming cells against an irrelevant antigen (sheep red blood cells). These results strongly suggest polyclonal induction of B-cell proliferation/differentiation by self-hormone-coupled self-albumin.