Abstract
Summary
The anti-idiotypic response of BALB/c mice to myeloma protein of BALB/c origin (purified Protein-315 from a plasmacytoma MOPC-315) was analyzed for its antigen-binding capacity and susceptibility to inhibition by excess hapten (DNP-lysine). The results showed that the anti-idiotypic antibody that is sensitive to inhibition by hapten could be detected for at least 3 months after completion of the primary course of immunization. Following a single booster injection, there was an increase of the antigen-binding capacity and the susceptibility of these post-boosting antisera to inhibition by hapten was markedly reduced (from more than 80% to less than 10% under the assay system employed). However, the hapten inhibition value gradually returned toward the preboosting level within a few weeks. The data obtained suggest that the change in the hapten inhibition value after boosting is associated with increased affinity rather than a shift in specificity.
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