A general method for enumerating single cells secreting antigen: albumin‐secreting hepatocytes detected as plaque‐forming cells

Abstract

Abstract Sheep erythrocytes, artificially coated with purified antibody specific for mouse serum albumin (anti‐MSA Ab‐E) were agglutinated and lysed by mouse serum albumin. Mouse liver cells, plated with anti‐MSA Ab‐E formed hemolytic plaques in a modified plaque in a modified plaque‐forming cell (PFC) assay. The same cells tested with anti‐MSA Ab‐E did not rosette in a modified immunocytoadhesion assay. Thus, liver cells secreted molecules (albumin) which were not detectable on the cell membrane. This PFC assay with Ab‐E is probably a general method for enumerating antigen‐secreting cells.