Immune responses of inbred guinea pigs against random terpolymers containing L glutamic acid and L alanine.

The immune responses of the inbred guinea pig strains 2 and 13 have been determined against random terpolymers of L glutamic acid and L alanine and a third amino acid. Strain 2 guinea pigs responded against GAT10, GAT20(LLD), GAT10(NO2)15, GAT4, and GAL10. However, strain 13 guinea pigs responded only against GAT10. The explanation offered is that strain 2 guinea pigs, which have the Ir-GA gene, recognize the polymers via random GA determinants present in sufficient concentration in all of the above polymers. However, strain 13 guinea pigs recognize the GAT10 via the Ir-GT gene, and reduction in the concentration of tyrosyl residues below 10 mole % by various procedures alters the concentration of available random GT determinants necessary for interaction with the gene product of the Ir-GT gene.