Local Cellular Antibodies

The gingival tissues of conventionally reared rats and guinea pigs were challenged antigenically with whole sheep erythrocytes. Upon sacrifice, cell suspensions of spleens and gingivae were prepared and assayed for antibody production according to the plaque technique of Jerne. Antibody-forming cells were found in approximately 50% of the inoculated gingivae. Circulating hemolysins were found in the sera of all rats and over 80% of the guinea pig sera. It is concluded that antibody production, associated with indigenous cells, can take place in suitably stimulated oral mucosa; the origin of these immunologically competent cells remains a matter for conjecture.