Studies on the function of reticulo-endothelial system, I. Effects of the R. E. S. blocking with India ink on the haema-topoiesis and the production of serum antibody

For the purpose to reveal the role of R.E.S. for hemopoiesis and antibody formation, the R.E.S. of rabbits were severely blocked by the repeated intravenous injection of a vast amount of India ink, reaching 200 to 250 cc in total and the development of anemia and antibody formation by challenging egg albumin were observed while referring to the histologic changes in bone marrow, spleen and lymph nodes. The results were as follows: 1. The repeated intravenous injection of a vast amount of carbon particles induced a severe anemia. The anemia was always normo- or hyperchromic, showing not any disturbance in iron metabolism or hemoglobin formation. The data suggested that anemia is due to the arrest of reproduction of erythroblast or differentiation of the stem cells to erythroblasts, but not due to inhibition of the iron metabolism. 2. R.E.S. had no relation to the proliferation or the differentiation of granulocytes. 3. The functions of R.E.S. related to erythropoiesis and lymphopoiesis are affected by blocking independently of its phagocytic potency. In spite of a severe anemia, the phagocytic potency of R.E.S. could never be lowered and liver and spleen grew much larger in size and weight, showing that the phagocytic ability of R.E.S. is extremely resistant against such a blocking. 4. The serum antibody titer proved to be at the normal level, and no change of the antibody production in spite of heavy blocking of R.E.S. with India ink.