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The Differential Localization of Antibody Synthesis and of Immunologic Memory in Lymph Nodes Draining and Not Draining the Site of Primary Immunization with Hemocyanin¹

From the Department of Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Abstract

Rabbits were injected with alum-precipitated keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) into one hind foot pad. In one type of experiment the draining and contralateral popliteal lymph nodes were compared at various times with respect to total number of nucleated cells and to the synthesis of antibody, DNA and RNA. Otherwise both nodes were challenged with KLH in vivo or in vitro at various times after priming and their cells similarly compared.

The primary synthetic response, including the synthesis of IgM and IgG antibody, DNA and RNA, was strictly localized in the draining node for at least 43 days. However, immunologic memory for the synthesis of IgG antibody, DNA and RNA was only partially localized in the draining node and with time gradually was equilibrated between this node and the contralateral one. It was postulated that localization of immunocompetent cells was the result of a specific reaction between KLH persisting in the node and specific receptors on these cells and/or by a nonspecific retention of the cells in an inflammatory focus.

Several other features of the immune response were noted, including the peaking of the primary response within the first 8 days, the persistent synthesis of antibody, DNA and RNA for at least 43 days after a single immunization and the first appearance of measurable memory on the 8th day. The injection of antigen often stimulated DNA and RNA synthesis to a greater extent than antibody synthesis. It was suggested that few of the cells which were induced to synthesize nucleic acids also synthesize antibody but that most of them produce a variety of other proteins of which some are not immunoglobulins.

Implications of the data with regard to the pathogenesis of local immunity or local tissue damage were discussed. A role for persisting antigen in the regulation of the immune response through differential localization of one or more of the types of participating immunocompetent cells was proposed.

Footnotes

¹ This investigation was supported by Research Grant AI-1865 and Training Grant 5T1-GM-171 from the United States Public Health Service and Research Grant GB-1719 from the National Science Foundation.

² United States Public Health Service Postdoctoral Fellow. Present address: Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.