Abstract
1. A hypothesis outlining an auto-immune mechanism for antibody production against autogenous nucleus pulposus is presented.
2. Auto-antibodies to autogenous nucleus pulposus have been experimentally produced in rabbits.
3. These antibodies are cell-bound within lymphoid cells and are greatest in primary lymph nodes. This antibody is demonstrated by a positive pyronin reaction.
4. Lymphoid cells fixed in Carnoy's fluid and stained for pyronins also show a distinct natural yellow fluorescence. This fluorescence occurs only in the cytoplasm of those cells which are pyronin-positive and presumably producing antibody.
5. The lymph node phase of the reaction is greatest at four days and is sustained for three weeks. A secondary generalised lymph node response occurs in all lymph nodes at six weeks.
