title: The role of the epitope density and cross-reactivity between two different purine nucleosides coupled to cells.
abstract: Cellular immune responses against nucleic acid antigens were analyzed in BALB/C mice. Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) could be elicited by immunizing and challenging with either guanosine-coupled spleen cells (G-SC) or adenosine-coupled spleen cells (A-SC), and measured by footpad swellings. The epitope density was critical for immunization. This cellular reaction was specific to nucleosides, and cross-immunity was observed between A-SC and G-SC. In addition, cross-unresponsiveness was observed between these two nucleosides. In contrast, soluble carrier proteins coupled with either guanosine or adenosine did not induce cross-reactive immunity or unresponsiveness. The significance of the difference between these two forms of antigens in the ability to induce cross-reactivity is discussed in the context of T versus B-cell recognition in the induction or the expression of the immune response.
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D006151:Guanosine / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011684:Purine Nucleosides / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D000939:Epitopes; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D006151:Guanosine; D000241:Adenosine