Summary Delayed hypersensitivity reactions in guinea pigs sensitized to α,DNP(Lys)7–10 peptides could be specifically inhibited by prior intraperitoneal injection of the homologous immunizing antigen or by larger immunogenic α,DNP-oligo-L-lysyl peptides. Desensitization was short-lived and normal skin reactivity returned by 6 days. Small closely related nonimmunogenic α,DNP-oligo-L-lysines, oligo-L-lysines, or dinitrophenylated proteins were unable to desensitize these animals. The exquisite immunologic specificity and the requirement for an immunogenic molecule to desensitize as well as elicit the delayed response provides strong evidence for the concept that the initial event in the delayed response is an active process triggered by antigen rather than the result of passive interaction of preformed “delayed antibody” with antigen.
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Schlossman et al. (1967) studied this question.