ANTIGENIC PROPERTIES OF SOME SYNTHETIC POLY-IMINOACIDS .2. ANTIGENICITY OF POLYPEPTIDES RELATED TO COLLAGEN PEPTIDES CONTAINING HYDROXYPROLINE AND ACETYL-HYDROXY-PROLINE

Abstract

The antigenic properties of some synthetic polymers containing hydroxyproline and acetyl-hydroxyproline have been tested in guinea-pigs and rabbits by active cutaneous anaphylaxis, delayed skin hypersensitivity reactions, PCA [passive cutaneous anaphylaxis] tanned cell agglutination and fluorescent antibody microscopy. The antigenic relationships between these polymers, collagen and acetylated collagen have been investigated. The results obtained suggest that acetyl-hydroxy-proline is a common antigenic determinant in both acetylated copolymers and acetylated collagen. Poly-hydroxyproline and poly-acetyl-hydroxyproline were found not to be antigenic in rabbits or guinea-pigs. Rabbit antiserum against acetylated collagen has been used to stain acetylated tissue sections by immunofluorescence. Absorption studies indicate that acetyl-hydroxyproline groups are important antigenic determinants as shown by the considerable decrease in specific fluorescence when the rabbit anti-acetylated collagen is absorbed with a synthetic polymer containing acetyl-hydroxyproline. The overall results are discussed in terms of the structural similarity existing between collagen and some of the polymers used in this work.