Transfer Agent of Immunity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Detection of the cells which contain antibody was accomplished by a method of immune adherence of human erythrocytes to a single cell, termed SCIA (single cell immune adherence) reaction. Peritoneal exudate cells were collected from mice immunized with flagella of either Salmonella enteritidis or S. tennessee . Serologically specific antibody was detectable in some of the peritoneal exudate cells of such mice. An immune ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from the peritoneal exudate cells of mice immunized with salmonella flagella. When mice were injected intraperitoneally with this preparation, serologically specific antibody was found in some of their peritoneal exudate cells by the SCIA method. This preparation was inactivated by treatment with ribonuclease, but was resistant to proteinases, deoxyribonuclease and anti‐flagella antibody, suggesting that this agent is of RNA nature and does not contain antigen or fragment thereof.