Cell-mediated immunity in the lungs of rabbits using conjugated proteins

A study using direct macrophage migration inhibition of cells from the lower respiratory tract of rabbits immunized with conjugated proteins, incorporated into a killed BCG-oil emulsion, revealed that the reaction was largely carrier specific. The only exception was when bronchoalveolar cells (BAC) from animals immunized with dinitrophenol coupled to ovalbumin (DNP-OA) were significantly immobilized with DNP coupled to bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) in which the ratio of DNP/BGG was high [DNP-BGG(H)]. This result could not be explained by a toxic effect or by a high net negative charge on DNP-BGG(H). In addition, inhibition of BAC from DNP-OA-immunized rabbits was not observed when the ratio of DNP to BGG was reduced approximately 5-fold.