Induction of guinea pig antibody responses in vitro

Guinea pig spleen cells cultured together with peritoneal exudate lymphocytes (PEL) were found to generate large numbers of antibody forming cells (AFC) in vitro in response to hapten protein antigens. Neither cell type cultured alone yielded appreciable responses. Strain 13 or F₁ (Strain 2 x strain 13) lymphocytes, but not those from strain 2 animals, are able to respond to the genetically controlled antigen, DNP guinea pig albumin (DNP-GPA). Antisera directed against responder (strain 13) parent Ia antigens selectively blocked the generation of AFC by F₁ (strain 2 x strain 13) spleen PEL mixtures in response to DNP-GPA. Both allogeneic (strain 2) and syngeneic macrophages functioned equally well in presentation of DNP-GPA to strain 13 lymphocytes.