Suppression of antibody formation by the RES-blockade. II. Effects of the RES-blockade with radioactive gold colloid

For the purpose of revealing the interaction between macrophages and plasma cells in relation to antibody formation and information for cell specialization, the proliferation of plasma cell by antigenic stimulation was observed in the rats whose RES had been previously injured by radiogold. The production of the circulating antibody was markedly suppressed by the pretreatment with radiogold. Histological observation revealed that the plasma cells and lymphocytes were completely obliterated and the tissues were replaced by the basophilic cells and fibroblastic cells. Lymph nodes which contained less radiogold and expected to be less in cell injury had also lost their lymphocytes, but showed a marked proliferation of plasma cells in the medullary cord and large basophilic cells in the area of lymph follicles. The data suggest that the impaired immune response will be due to the failure of the macrophages in releasing the informational substance for plasma cell specialization and for antibody formation on account of possible inability in metabolizing the ingested antigen by the injured macrophages.