[Increase in the number of antibody-secreting cells and cells secreting non-specific immunoglobulins following mouse immunization with T-dependent and T-independent antigens].

BALB/c mice were immunized with sheep red blood cells (T-dependent antigen) or with Vi-antigen Salmonella typhi (T-independent antigen). The kinetics of the development of antibody-forming and nonspecific immunoglobulin-forming cells (AFC and nIFC) was examined. It was shown that both antigens induce an increase in the nIFC number. The time course of AFC and nIFC growth during the primary and secondary immune responses appeared to be similar. Simultaneous injection of both antigens resulted in the formation of nIFC in an amount which was equal to the total number of nIFC formed in response to the antigens injected alone. It is concluded that T-dependent and T-independent antigens induced the differentiation of varying populations of nIFC precursors.