Studies of Plasma Protein Synthesis by Peripheral Cells from Normal Persons and Patients with Infectious Mononucleosis

Abstract Tissue culture of peripheral blood leukocytes with 14C leucine resulted in radioactive proteins identified as immunoglobulins by immunoelectrophoresis, gel filtration, and immunoprecipitation. Radioactive heterophile antibody was detected by precipitin reaction with heterophile antigen. It was found in significant concentration in infectious mononucleosis cultures but not in normal controls. Apparent synthesis of heterophile antibody and active cell division are two parameters which distinguish infectious mononucleosis cells from normals in vitro.