Inflammatory potency of antigen-antibody complexes and C-reactive protein in a wound chamber model in rats

In the present study, the inflammatory potencies of antigens carrying different numbers of determinants, i.e. penicilloyl 5-rat serum albumin and penicilloyl 28-rat serum albumin were compared in a wound chamber model in immunized rats. The results revealed that the antigen with more determinants had a more potent inflammatory effect. The kinetics of the inflammatory responses to the two antigens were similar, however. The inflammation in the chambers was also analyzed against antigen, penicilloyl 26-bovine gamma-globulin and antigen together with the acute phase reactant C-reactive protein of human source (CRP). CRP significantly increased the severity of the inflammation with antigen alone but the kinetics of the responses were similar.