In vitro response of chicken spleen cells to sheep red blood cells

A modification of the Marbrook system for obtaining both primary and anamnestic responses from chicken spleen cells in vitro is described. The patterns of responsiveness of chicken spleen cell cultures resembled those previously described for the mouse. However, the requirement for normal chicken serum (NCS) to support the response could not be replaced by foetal calf serum (FCS). Cell survival, response kinetics, antigen dose requirements, antibody class, and temporal development of memory are described. The requirement for cooperation of B and T cells in the SRBC response was demonstrated by the use of specific anti-T and anti-B sera.