Immune response in mice and lack of response in guinea-pigs and in rabbits to DNP on polysaccharide.

The immunogenicity of three DNP-LE conjugates possessing different numbers of haptenic determinants per molecule of carrier (DNP 3-LE, DNP6-LE, DNP 13-LE) has been tested in mice. All conjugates induce only 19S anti-DNP antibodies, but the lowest conjugate is more immunogenic. Lack of response to DNP-LE is observed in guinea-pigs and in rabbits, animals in which native LE is not immunogenic. The immune response is not affected in mice tolerant to LE, when immunization is performed intravenously. These results are discussed with a view to determine the role played by a T-independent carrier in the antibody synthesis against a hapten.