Response of Mice to Rabbit Fab'2 and Fab'

Authors :: Hunter, Philippa
Munro, A.J.
Source :: Immunology; Jul72, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p69-80, 12p
Publication Year :: 1972
Abstract: We have investigated the cell populations required for the in vivo and in vitro immune response of mouse spleen cells to rabbit Fab'<subscript>2</subscript> and Fab' and sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The production of IgM antibodies to SRBC both in vivo and in vitro is dependent upon the presence of thymus-derived lymphocytes, although some response does occur in their absence. The IgG response can only be obtained in vivo, and is also dependent upon the presence of thymus-derived lymphocytes. By contrast, the in vivo and in vitro IgM response of mice to rabbit Fab'<subscript>2</subscript> and Fab' is independent of the presence of thymus-derived lymphocytes, but the in vivo IgG response is thymus dependent. The in vitro response to both SRBC and rabbit Fab'<subscript>2</subscript> is low in cultures depleted of macrophages, but the rabbit Fab'<subscript>2</subscript> response appears less affected by macrophage depletion than the SRBC response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]