Conformational changes in antigen-stimulated lymphocytes detected with 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate.

The hydrophobic fluorescent probe, 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulphonate (ANS), has been used to study conformational changes of mouse antigen-stimulated lymphocytes in vivo. Studies revealed that early conformational changes appear in Bovine Serum Albumin-- or Sheep Erythrocytes-- stimulated splenic and thymic lymphocytes. These conformational changes are detected by fluorescence intensity changes, when ANS is bound to lymphocytes. The kinetic studies further indicate that the course of conformational changes may vary considerably depending on antigens.