The Immunoglobulins of Mice

Abstract

Summary Serum levels of 7 S γ2-, 7 S γ1-, γ1A- and γ1M- globulins and of hemagglutinating antibody were determined in 10 strains of mice immunized with hemocyanin and ferritin. The effect of five factors on the response to immunization were investigated: a) difference between single and repeated injections of antigen, b) differences between antigen administration in saline and in adjuvant, c) effect of different time intervals between first and second administration of antigen, d) effect of adjuvant alone and e) mouse strain differences. A single injection of antigens in saline produced no appreciable change in the serum immunoglobulin levels. After a single injection of antigen emulsified in Freund's adjuvant, the levels of the 7 S γ1-globulins showed a two- to five-fold increase. After a second injection of the antigens in adjuvant, 7 S γ1-globulins showed a 10- to 30-fold increase. The absolute and relative changes in the other three immunoglobulins (7 S γ2, γ1A(IgA) and γ1M(IgM)-globulins) following primary and secondary challenge were not as marked as the increase in 7 S γ1-globulins. Repeated injections of antigen in saline produced a greater increase of γ1M(IgM)-globulins than did several injections of antigen in Freund's adjuvant. The response of specific immunoglobulins to antigenic challenge is strain dependent. The most notable strains were a) the C57BL mice, which showed marked increase of γ1M(IgM) and γ1A (IgA)-globulins and b) the white Swiss (GP) mice, which showed very little increase in γ1M-(IgM)- and γ1A(IgA)-globulins while developing the highest levels of 7 S γ1-globulin. Injection of adjuvant without antigen had no notable effect except in C57 strains of mice, where marked increases of γ1M(IgM)-globulins occurred.