Stimulation of humoral antibody formation by polyanions. I. The effect of polyacrylic acid on the primary immune response in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells

Abstract

Abstract The effect of a polyanion, polyacrylic acid, on the primary immune response in mice inoculated with sheep red blood cells was investigated. Polyacrylic acid caused early appearence and enhancement of 19 S and 7 S plaque‐forming cell response in mice from 48 h to 10 days after antigen inoculation. Hemolytic antibody titers confirm these results. The degree of the stimulation of the immune response by PAAC was dependent on the antigen and PAAC doses and their routes of administration. The polyanion also increased the background of 19 S plaque‐forming cells in nonimmunized mice and the serum γ‐globulin levels. The effects of polyacrylic acid and the effects caused by natural or synthetic polynucleotides and pyrancopolymer on immune response suggest that the polyanionic structure common to these substances may be responsible for their stimulating activity.