Differences in immune response to synthetic antigens in two inbred strains of guinea-pigs

Abstract

The study of the immunogenicity of some linear and multichain synthetic polypetides in guinea-pigs, of inbred strains 2 and 13 led to their division into three categories: (a) immunogenic in both inbred strains: linear copolymer of tyrosine, glutamic acid and alanine; (b) immunogenic in strain 13 and negative in strain 2: linear copolymer of tyrosine and glutamic acid; and (c) immunogenic in strain 2 and negative in strain 13: linear and branched copolymers containing lysine. No immune response was detected in strain 2 guinea-pigs to the copolymer of tyrosine, glutamic acid and lysine, composed only of the D-optical isomers.

The immune response, or lack of response, in F₁ hybrids of the inbred strains was identical with that of inbred strain 2 suggesting that the genetic determinants of this strain are dominant.

No cross-reactions were observed at the delayed stage in inbred strain 2 between linear and multichain copolymers of similar composition.