Demonstration that antigen-binding cells are precursors of antibody-producing cells after purification with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1972 Jul;69(7):1934-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.69.7.1934.

Abstract

We have obtained viable and functional populations of antigen-binding cells enriched up to 500-fold from primed spleen-cell suspensions by fluorescent labeling and by a new electronic cell sorter that sorts viable cells according to fluorescence. Concomitantly, populations largely depleted of antigen-binding cells were obtained. While neither population alone is capable of a full adoptive secondary response when injected into irradiated recipients, a reconstituted mixture restores the full response of the unfractionated spleen cells. Admixture of sources of unprimed thymus-derived cells (T-cells) with the purified antigen-binding cells (B-cells) restores much of the full response.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation*
  • Antibody-Producing Cells*
  • Antigens*
  • Binding Sites
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Goats / immunology
  • Hemocyanins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Iodine Isotopes
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Protein Binding
  • Rabbits / immunology
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism
  • Spleen / cytology*
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • gamma-Globulins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Iodine Isotopes
  • Serum Albumin
  • gamma-Globulins
  • Hemocyanins