Effect of Serum on Cells Producing Hemolytic Antibodies in Short-Term Experiments <i>in Vitro</i>

Abstract

Summary Suspended mouse spleen cells forming antibodies against sheep erythrocytes were incubated at 37°C in the presence or absence of serum. The number of plaque-forming cells (PFC) was determined after various times of incubation by the technique of direct localized hemolysis in gel (LHG). The presence of serum during incubation invariably increased the rate of antibody production while its presence in the LHG assay led to no improvement. The effect was sensitive to temperature, dependent on serum concentration, and independent of the serum source. The combination of crystalline bovine serum albumin and N-Tris (hydroxymethyl) methylglycine was at least as effective as serum.</jats:p