Primary stimulation of rats and mice with hemocyanin in soluton and adsorbed on bentonite.

Soluble KLH was found to be a poor immunogen in rats and mice whereas particulate KLH (KLH coated on bentonite particles) behaved as a potent immunogen, eliciting anti-KLH in high titers. Formation of 19 S antibody preceded that of 7 S. Exposure of mice to a 450 r sublethal dose of x-irradiation 2 days before the injection of particulate KLH abolished their ability to produce detectable amounts of anti-KLH antibody. Soluble and particulate 35S-KLH were both taken up by macrophages in vitro, but the uptake differed in efficiency: that of the particulate was much greater.