Synthesis of Antibody in vitro by Lymph Node Fragments using Absorbable Gelatin Sponges

Abstract

IT has been conclusively demonstrated that fragments of lymph nodes obtained from previously immunized rabbits can be secondarily stimulated in vitro with the specific antigen^1,2. Richards et al.³ and Richardson⁴ have shown that the antibody released by fragments in vitro is actually synthesized de novo. In the main, glass wool pads have been used to support the fragments in the culture. Unfortunately, the use of glass wool pads impairs histological investigation of the fragments during antibody synthesis. The glass wool cannot be sectioned on a microtome so that any fragment studied must be removed from the pad, resulting in loss of the periphery of the fragment which clings tightly to the glass wool. The cells which migrate from the tissue into the interstices of the pad are also not available for histological study. An ideal supporting medium for combined histological and antibody studies should be capable of being sectioned so that the cells can be observed in their relationships to each other and to the supporting medium. In order to pursue this type of investigation, we decided to investigate the possible use of absorbable gelatin sponges, as a replacement for the glass wool.