Elimination of trinitrophenol-specific antibody response by antigen-toxin conjugates

The aim of the experiments presented here is the selective inhibition of an antigen-specific immune response. Antigen receptors are used as targets for conjugates of antigens and toxin to eliminate antigen-reactive cells. The trinitrophenol (TNP)-specific immune response can be specifically abrogated by incubating the TNP-keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)-primed spleen cells with TNP-ricin or TNP-chicken IgG-ricin conjugates before in vitro stimulation with TNP-KLH. The rate of elimination is dose-dependent and related to the degree of TNP moieties bound to the toxin molecule. The specificity of the toxin conjugates is demonstrated by treating sheep erythrocyte-primed spleen cells with TNP-IgG-ricin conjugates. These results may have therapeutic relevance for treating autoimmune diseases.