Mouse T-cell-dependent proliferative response to syngeneic serum modified with various agents used in root canal...

Syngeneic sera modified with seven agents were used as the immunogens to induce lymph-node cell proliferation in C57BL/6 mice. Immunogenicity could be conferred upon tolerated syngeneic serum by modification with diluted tincture of iodine (J) or formocresol (FC). However, the synergistic action of formalin and cresol appeared to be an indispensable condition in acquiring immunogenicity of FC-modified syngeneic serum (FC-MS). Moreover, immunological tolerance to native serum was not terminated after injection of J-MS or FC-MS. These proliferative functions were dependent on Lyt-1 cells. The cells directed against J- or FC-modified syngeneic serum were specific for the immunizing hapten J or FC. However, they did not recognize the hapten per se, but rather, the conjugate-specific determinants, i.e. these contributed by both the hapten and the self-carrier.