Immunochemical and immunogenic properties of a purified keyhold limpet haemocyanin.

Abstract

A highly reproducible method for obtaining a relatively homogeneous preparation of keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) is described. This method employs ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose followed by gel filtration on agarose beads. Analysis by immunoelectrophoresis in agar, electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels, analytical ultracentrifugation and double diffusion in agar indicated that the purified preparation contained one major antigenic component, whereas the crude material contained multiple antigenic components. The crude KLH was found to be a more potent immunogen than the purified preparation upon primary stimulation of rabbits.