Abstract
Antigenic competition was studied in a haptenic system. It was found that: (a) The extent of competition is greater when larger doses of antigen are employed. (b) Antigenic competition appears to be independent of the carrier molecule. (c) The affinity of the antibody produced in antigenic competition is approximately equal to the affinity of antibody formed by animals immunized with only one antigen. (d) Antigenic competition only occurs when both antigens are injected so as to drain into the same regional lymph nodes. The results suggest that antigenic competition occurs locally at the site of antigen stimulation and is not mediated by a circulating factor, by tolerance induction, or by suppression due to synthesis of cross-reacting antibodies.
Highlights
At times, the simultaneous presentation of two antigens results in a diminution of the antibody response to one or both antigens
Antibody formation against two haptenic determinants located on separate carrier molecules was studied. (a) It was found that the extent of competition increases as the dose of the competing antigens is increased. (b) Antigenic competition is relatively independent of the nature of the carrier molecule. (c) competition results in a depression of the antibody response to a particular determinant, the affinity of the antibody produced to that determinant is essentially equal to the affinity of the antibody produced by control animals immunized with a single antigen. (d) Antigens injected simultaneously, but into separate sites do not compete, suggesting that antigenic competition is not mediated by a circulating factor
Washed specific precipitates were dissolved in 0.02 M sodium dodecyl sulfate
Summary
The simultaneous presentation of two antigens results in a diminution of the antibody response to one or both antigens. The degree of depression of antibody synthesis was the same whether the two haptens were located on the same or on separate carrier molecules. It was shown that passive antibody to one hapten resulted in suppression of the antibody response to that hapten without affecting the antibody response to ~he second hapten, provided the two haptenic determinants were located on the same carrier molecule. When the two determinants were located on separate carrier molecules, passive antibody to one resulted in suppression of the antibody response to that determinant and an increase in antibody production to the second determinant. Antibody formation against two haptenic determinants located on separate carrier molecules was studied. Antibody formation against two haptenic determinants located on separate carrier molecules was studied. (a) It was found that the extent of competition (the degree of depression of the antibody response) increases as the dose of the competing antigens is increased. (b) Antigenic competition is relatively independent of the nature of the carrier molecule. (c) competition results in a depression of the antibody response to a particular determinant, the affinity of the antibody produced to that determinant is essentially equal to the affinity of the antibody produced by control animals immunized with a single antigen. (d) Antigens injected simultaneously, but into separate sites do not compete, suggesting that antigenic competition is not mediated by a circulating factor
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