Hapten-specific delayed hypersensitivity to epsilon-2,4-dinitrophenyl-L-lysine-Ficoll in guinea pigs immunized with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin.

After active immunization with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (DNP-KLH), 2,4-dinitropheynl-L-lysine (DNPL)-Ficoll may elicit indurated, erythematous skin reactions lasting 24-72 h. Histological sections of these reactions, examined by microscope techniques, showed they contained polymorphonuclear leukocytes and perivascularly situated lymphocytes and macrophages, but had very few basophils. Consequently, the reaction was interpreted as having an immediate component and a component typical of delayed hypersensitivity; this indicated that the delayed reaction could be specific for the DNP hapten. Although this delayed type of skin reaction was not transferred to recipients with anti-DNP-KLH serum, one pool of that serum did sensitize guinea pigs so that they could respond with a different skin reaction after challenge with DNPL-Ficoll. This reaction was soft, pale pink, and lasted for 24 h. Histologically, it contained only a few polymorphonuclear leukocytes. It differed from the delayed reaction in actively immunized animals in that it lacked induration, and was devoid of lymphocytes and macrophages.