ABSTRACT
The humoral immune response is remarkable for the heterogeneity of the antibody molecules produced by B lymphocytes following an antigenic stimulation. This response requires the participation of B and T lymphocytes and macrophages; and a deficit in one or more of these cell populations will impair the humoral response. To evaluate the humoral response one can measure:
The level of specific antibodies secreted either by hemagglutination, which relies on the ability of antibody to cross-link sheep red blood cells (SRBC) coated with the antigen, double immunodiffusion, a simple gel assay, or by ELISA, which is a colorimetric assay to detect soluble antibodies.
The antibody-secreting cells following an in vivo or in vitro immunization by the plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay (the PFC assay can be performed either in liquid phase or in agar).
