Induction and reversal of immune paralysis in vitro.

Induction of the immune response can only be completed after antigen is removed from the cellular environment. Primed rabbit lymph node fragments were cultured in vitro with 5 mg/ml BSA. If antigen was removed from the fragments 2 hr later, they produced a normal anti-BSA response, which was first evident 5 days later. If antigen removal was delayed for 3 days, the onset of the response was postponed for 2 to 3 days. Pulses with BUDR marked the periods of cell proliferation in both sets of cultures, and established that the postponement of antibody production was preceded by a postponement in the wave of proliferation among precursors of antibody forming cells. The similarity in avidity of antibody-containing fluids from normal and postponed cultures support the idea that the same cell population produced the response in each case. It was concluded that a reversible state of paralysis could be instituted in antigen-responsive cells, and this state did not depend upon cell-killing. The widespread incidence of temporary paralysis as an early aspect of the immune response was discussed.