Helper T-cell kinetics and investigation of antigen receptor expression on early and memory T-helper cells.

The subcutaneous application of soluble antigen resulted in generation of helper T lymphocytes in the draining lymph nodes, tested 4 days after priming in the adoptive transfer system. Four days later a specific helper T-cell population was detected in the spleen. B-cell activity could be demonstrated 4-5 days after helper T-cell activity in both organs. We investigated the early helper T-cell population and memory T cells with respect to differences in the expression of antigen receptors. No such differences could be detected, either by anti-immunoglobulin-coated Degalan columns or by an antigen-specific rosetting method.