Histochemical staining in lymphocyte suspensions complexed with beta-galactosidase as an antigen. Unspecific staining of spleen cells by indigo.

Spleen cells from mice immunized with E. coli beta-galactosidase were incubated with the enzyme and with 5-bromo-4-chloroindolyl-beta-galactosidase as a histochemical substrate. Some cells are stainable in this reaction, however, not all of them carry specific receptors for beta-galactosidases. Some spleen cells can take up dye and thereby become unspecifically stained. This system is therefore not suitable for the detection of antigen binding to cells.