Cultivation of mesenchymal tissue with reference to antibody formationin vitro

The optimal conditions for the cultivation of rabbit lymphocytes in suspension and antibody formation by these cellsin vitro were studied. The lymphocytes were cultivated in medium in which serum was replaced by serum albumin containing the alpha globulin fraction. Several media were used, with different amounts and proportions of amino acids, vitamins and glucose. The cells survived best in medium in which a component with a high molecular weight was present and in which the glutamine concentration was 0.5–1 mM and the amount of glucose was 0.4–0.5%. Among the other factors determined, the initial pH had a significant influence on survival of the tissue, the optimal limits being 6.9–7.2. Under these conditions 55–60% of the cells survived during 120 hours’ cultivation. The conditions and factors influencing these findings are discussed. Study of the formation of antibodies againstBrucella suis in vitro showed that antibody formation increased only up to 48 hours, after which it remained at the same level.