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Article
Characterization of the T-dependent Antibody Response (TDAR) to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) in the Gottingen Minipig
Journal of Immunotoxicology
  • V. L. Peachee
  • M. J. Smith
  • Melissa J. Beck, Cedarville University
  • D. G. Stump
  • K. L. White, Jr.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2013
DOI
doi: 10.3109/1547691X.2013.853716
Abstract

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the use of the minipig as an alternative to dogs and non-human primates for conducting toxicological assessments in non-rodent species. Since the T-dependent antibody response (TDAR) is one of the most widely-accepted assays used in the assessment of immunocompetence, the present study was undertaken to characterize the primary and secondary TDAR to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in the Göttingen Minipig®. Following primary immunization with either 2 or 10 mg KLH, anti-swine IgM and IgG ELISAs were optimized and individual animal responses were evaluated over time. Immunization with 10 mg KLH on Day 0 promoted primary IgM responses that peaked 6-9 days after antigen administration, while primary IgG levels peaked on Day 13 or 14. Secondary IgG antibody levels (following secondary injection with 2 mg KLH on Day 14) plateaued on Days 20-22. Anti-KLH antibody levels were decreased in minipigs treated with cyclophosphamide (CPS), a known immunosuppressant, at doses ranging from 12.5-50 mg/kg/day, while antibody levels in animals treated with 2.5 mg CPS/kg/day were similar to levels in saline-treated swine. These results demonstrate that the Göttingen Minipig® can be a useful alternative non-rodent species to the dog and the non-human primate for evaluating the TDAR to KLH in regulatory assessments of immunotoxicity.

Keywords
  • T-dependent antibody response,
  • TDAR,
  • keyhole limpet hemocyanin,
  • KLH,
  • Gottingen minipig
Citation Information
V. L. Peachee, M. J. Smith, Melissa J. Beck, D. G. Stump, et al.. "Characterization of the T-dependent Antibody Response (TDAR) to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) in the Gottingen Minipig" Journal of Immunotoxicology Vol. 11 Iss. 4 (2013) p. 376 - 382
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/melissa_beck/78/