Parameters Affecting Heterogeneity of Mouse Anti-Hapten Antibody

Abstract

Plate acrylamide gel isoelectric focusing was used to assess the heterogeneity of anti-hapten antibody raised in various inbred mouse strains. Parameters including dose, timing of injection and hapten-carrier combinations were varied. It was found that the heterogeneity of antibody production against a given immunogen is characteristic of the mouse strain. All mice within a strain appear to possess the same genetic potentlal for specific antibody production. However, each mouse may differ in its capacity to express this potential. Manipulation of parameters affecting antibody production allows the investigator to control the phenotypic expression of specific antibody.