Rl. Deswart et al., MITOGEN AND ANTIGEN-INDUCED B-CELL AND T-CELL RESPONSES OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEAR-CELLS FROM THE HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA-VITULINA), Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 37(3-4), 1993, pp. 217-230
In vitro assays were developed for studies concerning the functioning
of the immune system of the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Proliferati
ve responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measure
d after stimulation with different concentrations of the mitogens conc
anavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)
or lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhimurium (LPS). Con A and PWM
induced strong proliferative responses, while PHA and LPS induced com
paratively low proliferative responses. Responses of mitogen stimulate
d PBMC to recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) and in vitro immuno
globulin production by mitogen stimulated PBMC were measured to discri
minate between stimulation of T cells and B cells. It was found that C
on A and PHA stimulate phocine T cells, PWM stimulates both T cells an
d B cells and LPS predominantly stimulates phocine B cells. Antigen-sp
ecific immune responses were measured after immunization of seals with
an inactivated rabies vaccine and/or with tetanus toxoid. Antigen-spe
cific proliferation of PBMC and the presence of antigen-specific antib
ody forming cells were demonstrated for both antigens in the PBMC of i
mmunized animals. The responses measured in vitro correlated well with
the development of specific serum antibody titers to these antigens.