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Immunoglobulins on Thymus Cells: Reaction with Anti‐Light Chain Antibody and Quantitation by Microprecipitin Inhibition with Cell Extracts
Author(s) -
KIROV S. M.,
ADA G. L.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1974.tb01236.x
Subject(s) - antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , cortisone , cell , immunoglobulin light chain , chemistry , biology , immunology , reagent , biochemistry , endocrinology
Thymus cells were examined for Ig by exposing them to purified anti‐mouse L chain Ig labeled with 125 I and examining, by bulk counting and radioautography, the amount of reagent bound. In addition, cell extracts were assayed for total Ig by a quantitative microprecipitin inhibition method. Most cells in thymus contained little Ig, but a minor subpopulation, varying in structure, did contain demonstrable Ig. This small proportion of cells (˜1%) appeared to be intrinsic to the thymus, and dose response data indicated that there was a hierarchy of Ig‐positive cells. They were enriched in the cortisone‐resistant fraction. Most were resistant to both anti‐θ and an anti‐B‐anti‐macrophage serum, leaving their identity in doubt. Some further properties, and suggestions as to the possible role of these cells in thymus, are discussed.