Conversion of Nonimmune Spleen Cells to Antibody-Forming Cells by Rna: Strain Specificity of the Response

Abstract

Summary Spleen cells from nonimmunized mice were converted to antibody-forming cells by an RNA extract from the spleens of immunized mice. The conversion took place in the presence of trypsin, pronase, both α and β-amylase and DNase, but was blocked by chloramphenicol and ribonuclease. RNA extracted from the spleens of mice immunized with an unrelated antigen was ineffectual, and the addition of RNA from nonimmunized mice to the active preparation reduced the number of antibody-forming cells. The conversion was found to be partially strain-specific. Separation of total cellular RNA revealed most of the active material to be in the 8 to 12 S fraction.