This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access.
Abstract
Injection of 1.5 mg. of bovine gamma globulin (BGG) intravitreally into New Zealand white rabbits resulted in the appearance of antibody within 7 to 10 days. Specific antibody-forming cells were found in suspensions of uveal tract cells from rabbits killed several days following the onset of uveitis. Challenge of the contralateral eye several months later resulted in an accelerated onset of uveitis and rapid rise in antibody titer. Plaque-forming cells were found in the uveal tract as early as 5 days after challenge. Footpad or intravenous injection of 1.5 mg. of BGG primed rabbits for a secondary ocular reaction, although no primary antibody response was detected. Injection of peritoneal macrophages containing BGG (referred to as macrophage-BGG) into the footpad resulted in development of moderately high antibody titers in the recipients. Intravitreal injection of macrophage-BGG neither precipitated a primary antibody response nor primed for a secondary response. Following intravitreal challenge of these recipients, antibody titers rose only to levels observed in rabbits which had received a primary injection of BGG. Plaque-forming cells were found in uveal tract suspensions only if the plaque assays were carried out more than 12 days after challenge.