hapten Immunol.
(ˈhæptən)
Also -ene.
[ad. G. hapten (K. Landsteiner 1921, in Biochem. Zeitschr. CXIX. 303), f. Gr. ἅπτειν to fasten.]
A substance, usu. of low molecular weight, which cannot by itself elicit an antibody, but which can do so when combined with another substance, usu. a protein, the antibody thus produced being capable of reacting either with the free or the combined hapten.
| 1921 Chem. Abstr. XV. 3317 (heading) Heterogeneous antigens and haptenes. 1926 Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. XXIII. 343 Active fractions of the specific part of the heterogenetic antigen, haptene, were obtained by fractional precipitation with alcohol. 1928 Jrnl. Immunol. XV. 595 Specifically reacting non-antigenic substances—so-called haptens—play a great part in the constitution of the antigens of animal cells and bacteria. 1931 C. H. Browning in Syst. Bacteriol. (Med. Res. Council) VI. 206 These non-protein substances when isolated do not by themselves cause antibody production in vivo; therefore Landsteiner has classed them as ‘haptens’ in contrast to true antigens. 1969 New Scientist 12 June 575/1 Low molecular weight chemicals (haptens) which are themselves non-antigenic but become antigenic when conjugated to ‘carrier’ proteins. |
Hence hapˈtenic a.
| 1932 Dorland's Med. Dict. (ed. 16) 616/2 Haptenic, pertaining to or caused by haptens. 1966 Lancet 24 Dec. 1419/1 The capacity to manifest contact allergy to a haptenic substance is impaired in persons with leprosy. |