RECOGNITION PATHWAY IN LYMPHOCYTES

It is suggested that a lymphocyte is stimulated in vitro by combination of an antigen molecule with a specific recognition site, which is an integral part of the cell membrane and not a secondarily acquired antibody. The antigenicity of this special site would differ from that of other surface structures and on this basis some of the phenomena observed with antilymphocyte serum can be explained. Distortion of the recognition site by combination with antigen or antibody is thought to initiate an intracellular biochemical chain reaction starting with a membrane associated ATPase or cholinesterase and leading to nuclear activation. Exposure times needed for maximal excitation by different stimulants, and various bypass and blocking phenomena, can also be explained on the basis of this intracellular pathway. © 1969 Academic Press Inc. (London) Ltd. All rights reserved.