Listeria antigen-binding cells in the spleens of normal and immunized mice resistant or susceptible to listeriosis.

Normal mice of the Listeria-resistant C57Bl/6 strain contain in their spleens a higher number of cells that bind Listeria monocytogenes cell wall fraction antigen (LmA) than normal DBA/2 mice, which are more susceptible to infection. LmA-binding cells are probably B cells, nylon-wool adherent, and inhibited by anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibody but not sensitive to the action of monoclonal anti-mouse macrophage and anti-Thy.1.2 antibody. A single intraperitoneal injection of 10(8) Listeria monocytogenes causes a rapid increase in the number of LmA-binding cells in the spleens of C57Bl/6 mice, and this can be seen as early as 24 h. On the other hand, in DBA/2 mice an increase in these cells becomes evident only by the 4th day. Moreover, the increment in the number of LmA-binding cells in C57Bl/6 mice is more marked than in DBA/2 mice.