Immunocompetence of chimeric rabbits. III. Serial passage and persistence of B-lymphocyte memory.
In a model consisting of noninbred rabbits matched for major histocompatibility antigens and mismatched for immunoglobulin allotypes, using cell donors and recipients unrelated to each other, B-cell memory has been demonstrated to persist through three successive transfers for a period approaching 2 years. Memory cells from the original donor are shown to dominate specific antibody responses of the primary and secondary recipients. Vigorous antibody responses by donor-derived cells are obtained even when antigenic stimulation is delayed by several months. The data suggest that B memory cells may be particularly efficient in the colonization of recipients, and the potential significance of these findings for adoptive immunization of human bone marrow recipients is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002678:Chimera; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D012709:Serum Albumin; D010047:Ovalbumin