ANTIBODY-SYNTHESIS IN ROACH (RUTILUS-RUTILUS) - ANALYSIS OF ANTIBODY-SECRETING CELLS IN LYMPHOID ORGANS WITH ELISPOT-ASSAY

The roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) which is a cyprinid fish, was immunised with bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) and the antibody synthesis was studi ed by counting the number of specific antibody secreting cells (SA.SC) in the spleen and anterior kidney, and by measuring the antibody conc entration in the circulation. SASCs and the total number of immunoglob ulin secreting cells (TISC) were counted with the ELISPOT (enzyme-link ed immunospot) assay, and anti-BGG antibodies and the concentration of immunoglobulin in sera were assayed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosor bent assay). The present modification of the ELISPOT-assay takes advan tage of biotin-avidin amplification and yields easily detectable and n onfading spots that may be counted even after several weeks of storage . It is also possible to count the number of SASC and TISC in differen t organs. In this study, immunisation of the roach with protein antige n via the intraperitoneal route resulted in a similar response in the spleen and in the kidney. There was no preferential organ distribution of the number of SASC or TISC and no difference in the timing of the response in the organs. The humoral response due to immunisation in th e serum correlated with cellular responses in the organs.