Comparison of in vitro immunogenicity, tolerogenicity and mitogenicity of dinitrophenyl-levan conjugates with varying epitope density.

The mitogenicity, immunogenicity and tolerogenicity of various DNP-levan (DNP-LE) conjugates were compared using in vitro methods. Anti-DNP antibody synthesis induced by DNP-LE conjugates was related to the epitope density of DNP, BUT WAS NOT AFFECTED BY Macrophage dependent and was not influenced by the degree of hapten conjugation. These results imply that mitogenicity of an antigen is not necessarily related to the specific triggering of B cells.