Spontaneous formation of conjugates of alpha-methyl-DOPA and DOPA with serum proteins and experimental production of specific antibodies against these haptens.
Alpha-methyldopa (alpha MD) and levodopa (DOPA) react readily with serum proteins at alkaline pH and form stable conjugates with them. Hapten specific antibodies in high titers are produced in rabbits by inoculation of the conjugates formed by alpha MD and DOPA with normal rabbit serum (alpha MD-NRS and DOPA-NRS), incorporated in incomplete Fruend adjuvant. No hapten specific antibodies were raised in rabbits inoculated with alpha MD as such, incorporated in adjuvant, with alpha MD mixed with autologous serum 24 hrs before inoculation, or with alpha MD conjugates with autologous serum administered without adjuvant. Hapten specific antibodies were, however, found in one of six rabbits inoculated with alpha MD conjugates with homologous serum proteins given without adjuvant. Extensive crossreactivity was found between alpha MD and DOPA immunological systems. High titers of antibodies directed against normal rabbit serum proteins as well as against human gamma globulin were also found in the sera of the rabbits immunized with alpha MD-NRS and DOPA-NRS conjugates incorporated in Freund adjuvant. A close correlation was found between the titers of hapten specific antibodies and of anti-protein antibodies.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006241:Haptens; D008750:Methyldopa; D011817:Rabbits
D001798:Blood Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006241:Haptens; D008750:Methyldopa; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant