Immunologie, Amyloid, Verschiedenes

The main task of our investigation is to initiate synthesis of specific antibodies in vivo and in vitro by purified RNA from the tissues of immunized animals. In these experiments 130 rabbits were used as donors and recipients. In vivo experiments (administration of 10–20 mg of RNA or lymph node cells incubated in vitro with RNA for a period of 12 hours at +2° C) showed anti-BSA production. Serum and tissue fixed antibodies (titers 1/10-1/80) were demonstrated beginning from 12 hours up to 5 days after administration of RNA according to the method by Boyden-Stavitsky. A control group of rabbits (12 animals) was injected with RNA treated by RNA-ase (5–10 γ/ml). In 10 of them no antibodies were formed. In the RNA preparations, non-treated and treated by RNA-ase and then dialysed anti-BSA was not demonstrated. In in vitro experiments the cell suspension was prepared from lymph nodes and then incubated with RNA and leucin C14. Anti-BSA was demonstrated in incubation media and in the cells by the Boyden-Stavitsky method (titers 1/4–1/64). Experiments with leucin C14 have not been completed. — Histochemical analysis showed accumulation of RNA in sinuses of regional lymph nodes and then in reticular cells (from 12 to 72 hours). The comparative histochemical and microspectrophotometric investigations of three groups of cells were made (small lymphocytes, blasts and plasma cells). The number of blasts and plasma cells with increased content of DNA were not demonstrated until anamnestic stimulation had taken place. There was no induction of plasma cell development after administration of RNA. But a decrease in the number of cells having a significant content of DNA could be observed in the group of small lymphocytes after anamnestic stimulation and also after RNA had been administered. — Our experiments permitted the demonstration of specific antibody formation induced by RNA. The possibility of trans ferring information in the organism by means of RNA has been examined and discussed