Regional T- and B-cell responses in influenza-infected ferrets.
Ferrets were infected with A/Port Chalmers/72 influenza virus and the T- and B-cell responses in the spleen, in lymph nodes draining the upper and lower respiratory tract, and in lung washings were examined in vitro. Lymphocyte responses were measured by using a hemolytic plaque assay for B cells and a proliferation assay for T cells. Virus and antibody levels were measured in respiratory tract washings, and antibody titers were measured in sera from infected animals. Individual B cells secreting specific antibody to A/Port Chalmers/72 virus were detected in regional lymph node and spleen preparations as early as 3 days and as late as 43 days after infection. T-cell assays showed an in vitro response of lymph node cells to A/Port Chalmers/73 virus from day 6 to day 43. Virus was isolated from the respiratory tract up to 7 days after infection. Serum hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody was first detectable on day 6, with maximum titers reached by day 10. These results demonstrated that antibody production and a cellular immune responses were detectable at regional sites at a time when virus was still present and before serum antibody was measured.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002335:Carnivora / Q000276:immunology*; D005289:Ferrets / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral