The relationship between the acute phase response and antibody production in the rabbit. II. The stimulation of Cx-reactive protein response by certain adjuvants and the relation of this response to the enhancement of antibody formation

Abstract

The ability of an adjuvant and its individual constituents to induce the production of Cx-reactive protein in rabbits has been studied. It was found that the adjuvant stimulated rabbits to produce large amounts of the acute phase protein for 3 to 6 days. Melted aquaphor blended with saline stimulated the production of Cx-reactive protein for 3 or 4 days. Mineral oil was less effective in stimulating the production of the protein than either adjuvant or aquaphor. Heat-killed Jamaica strain tubercle bacilli suspended in mineral oil did not induce the Cx-protein response. The ability of subcutaneously administered adjuvant without antigen incorporated in the saline phase to potentiate the antibody response of rabbits to the intravenously administered antigens, C-reactive protein and human gamma globulin, was investigated. It was found that the adjuvant-treated animals produced more precipitating antibody to the two intravenously administered antigens than did the control animals given intravenous antigen alone.