INDUCTION OF CELL-MEDIATED-IMMUNITY TO CHEMICALLY MODIFIED ANTIGENS IN GUINEA-PIGS .1. CHARACTERIZATION OF IMMUNE-RESPONSE TO LIPID-CONJUGATED PROTEIN ANTIGENS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 118  (3) , 957-962
Abstract
Bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated with a lipid, dodecanoic acid, is capable of inducing strong delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in guinea pigs. Experiments on the nature and specificity of this hypersensitivity are reported. The response to lipid-conjugated BSA (L-BSA) was classical DTH, as evidenced by its ability to be transferred passively by immune cells, but not by serum. Special histologic examinations of skin test sites demonstrated the characteristics of DTH rather than cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity. Similar results were obtained when lipid-conjugated purified protein derivative of tubercle bacilli (L-PPD) was used. The increased immunogenicity of L-BSA was not caused by the presence of protein aggregates, but seemed to be related to the hydrophobic nature of the conjugated side chains. A series of cross-reacting serum albumins was used for a study of the specificity of the antibody and DTH responses to BSA. The degree of enhancement of immunogenicity for DTH caused by lipid conjugation varied for different antigenic determinants on BSA.