Dictionary of Allergies .. Carrier

Carrier

A molecule, usually an immunogenic protein, such as A or keyhole limpet hemocyanin, to which a smaller group (hapten) is attached. The function of a carrier molecule is to promote the generation of an immunologic response to the smaller component which in itself would yield only a poor response

References

Engstrom L, Pinzon-Ortiz MC, Li Y, Chen SC, Kinsley D, Nelissen R, Fine JS, Mihara K, Manfra D. Characterization of a murine keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model: role for p38 kinase. . Int Immunopharmacol. 2009 Sep;9(10):1218-27. Epub 2009 Jul 16