title: DNP-Lys-ficoll: a T-independent antigen which elicits both IgM and IgG anti-DNP antibody-secreting cells.
abstract: The 2,4-dinitrophenyl-lysyl derivative of Ficoll (DNP-Lys-Ficoll) was prepared and examined for immunogenicity. This antigen elicited large numbers of DNP-specific plaque-forming cells (PFC) of the IgM and IgG2 class in the spleens of C57BL/6 mice. Similar responses were observed in congenitally athymic (nu/nu) mice and in their littermates indicating that DNP-Lys-Ficoll is a T-independent antigen. The responses of nu/nu mice included a large number of IgG2 DNP-specific PFC, indicating that IgG responses can be initiated in the absence of mature thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes. Cell transfer studies confirmed the T independence of the response and indicated that priming with DNP-Lys-Ficoll induces only a very meager degree of memory. Because they can be obtained in large quantities and in relatively pure form, DNP-Lys-Ficoll and other hapten conjugates of Ficoll should prove most valuable in the delineation of the mode of activation of precursors of antibody-secreting cells by T-independent antigens.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006720:Homozygote; D007114:Immunization; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008239:Lysine / Q000276:immunology*; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000276:immunology; D011828:Radiation Chimera; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000002:abnormalities; D013997:Time Factors; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D004140:Dinitrophenols; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011134:Polysaccharides; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014316:Tritium; D013395:Sucrose; D008623:Mercaptoethanol; D008239:Lysine