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Antigenicity of Polypeptides (Poly--Amino Acids)

XXVI. Studies of the Ability of Homo- and Copolymers to Act As Hapten Carriers in Mice¹

Department of Biochemistry, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

1. Random-bred mice fail to produce hapten-specific antibody when immunized with dinitrophenyl (DNP)-conjugated homopolymers. The nonimmunogenicity of conjugated homopolymers appears to be independent of the degree of coupling, charge and solubility of the material.

2. All random-bred mice produce hapten-specific antibody when immunized with DNP-copolymers, DNP-terpolymers, and chemically modified derivatives of the polypeptides. The only requirement seems to be the presence of at least three different groups in the molecule.

3. The response to the carrier portion of the molecule seems to be independent of the response to the hapten. However, where an anti-carrier response does appear, it is depressed as compared to the response to the uncoupled polypeptide.

4. Partial chemical modification of a DNP-homopolymer, which introduces a "third" group into the molecule, or formation of an aggregate with an immunogenic protein renders these homopolymers immunogenic in mice.

Footnotes

This work was supported by Grants AI-03514, AI-07825, TI-AI-196 and TI-AI-334 for National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Contract No. DA DA 17-67-C-7021, Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General.