IMMUNIZATION OF DISSOCIATED SPLEEN CELL CULTURES FROM NORMAL MICE

A culture system for cell suspensions from mouse spleens has been described. The system provides adequate conditions for in vitro immunization on initial exposure to heterologous erythrocytes. The in vitro response closely parallels that observed in vivo with respect to size, early kinetics, antigen dose, and the inhibitory effect of passive antibody.

The response of cultured cells differs in two respects from that seen in vivo. There is an increase in the ability to discriminate between different varieties of homologous erythrocytes and the in vitro response does not appear to be limited by whatever mechanisms regulate the in vivo response.