Cells involved in the immune response. 8. The relationship between the loss and reappearance of antigen-reactive cells and immune responsiveness after irradiation of normal adult rabbits.
By appropriate irradiation and cell transfer experiments, a direct correlation was observed between the presence of viable and immunologically active antigen-reactive cells and the capacity of the rabbits to respond following immunization. Rabbits given 800 R total body irradiation were unable to elicit a humoral immune response nor did they possess significant numbers of antigen-reactive cells. The ability to respond with humoral antibody formation did not reappear until antigen-reactive cells could be detected. These results strongly indicate that the presence of competent antigen-reactive cells are necessary for the successful induction of the humoral immune response in the rabbit.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000528:radiation effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D007118:Immunoassay; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000528:radiation effects; D011817:Rabbits; D011830:Radiation Effects; D013154:Spleen / Q000528:radiation effects