Differentiation of antibody forming cells in lymph nodes during the anamnestic response

The cellular and subcellular events in the anamnestic response were considered. Rabbits previously immunized with key hole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were given an anamnestic challenge in the hind footpads. The popliteal lymph nodes were removed at intervals after immunization and the following correlated on a temporal basis: the changes in the number and types of cells in the lymph nodes; the formation and regression of ribosomes, polyribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in plasma cells; the changes in intracellular immunofluorescence for anti-hemocyanin; and, the incorporation of ¹⁴C labeled amino acids by lymph node cells into anti-KLH during a brief in vitro culture period. Maximum intracellular fluorescence for anti-KLH and the largest incorporation of ¹⁴C labeled amino acids into antibody occurred between the third and fourth day after immunization. During this interval highly differentiated plasma cells were most numerous with respect to the total cellular population. These events took place in a 12 to 24 hour period. This was followed by an abrupt decline in the synthesis of antibody. Coincident with this was a reduction in the number of recognizable plasma cells in the nodes, diminished intracellular fluorescence for anti-KLH and a simplification of the cytoplasm of the plasma cells toward a lymphocytic form.