Effect of heparin on the priming with a protein antigen in mice

Abstract

Heparin has been found to stimulate or suppress the priming activity of a protein antigen (cock muscle phosphorylase-b) in mice depending on the various parameters (the dose of antigen, timing of administration, etc.). The adjuvant effect of endotoxin on priming was potentiated by a single dose of heparin injected 10–12 hours after immunization. Optimal doses of heparin incorporated into Freund's incomplete adjuvant also enhanced the humoral immune response first of all the development of 7S immunologic memory. The possible mechanisms are discussed.