Selective immune reactivity to DNP-poly-L-lysine in randomly bred guinea-pigs.

The specific immune response towards the synthetic antigen DNP—p(Lys) in randomly bred guinea-pigs has been investigated. A full immunological response, namely delayed hypersensitivity, PCA reactive, complement fixing and mercaptoethanol sensitive antibodies was obtained in nearly half the animals. The other half also showed an immune response restricted, however, to complement fixing and mercaptoethanol sensitive antibodies. Genetic heterogeneity of these animals with respect to immunization to DNP—p(Lys) was thus found to be reflected in the type of immune response induced rather than in an all or none reactivity.