Stimulation of a T-independent primary anti-hapten response in vitro by TNP-lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS).

The trinitrophenyl hapten (TNP) has been covalently conjugated to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to give TNP-LPS. The site of attachment has been suggested to be in the core polysaccharide and lipid A region of the molecule and approximately 2.4 hapten molecules are bound per monomer LPS molecule. The TNP-LPS has been demonstrated to be immunogenic in vitro at very low concentration. This antigen has further been shown to initiate a T-independent TNP-PFC response. The immunogenicity of TNP-LPS is abrogated by mild alkaline hydrolysis, suggesting a requirement for intact lipid A in the initiation of an immune respose at the very low concentrations of antigen used.