Can substances other than proteins be antigens?

Yes. Most antigens are proteins, but polysaccharides, certain lipids, and nucleic acids also can trigger immune reactions. Besides, some relatively simple organic chemicals and chemical groups can be specifically recognized by the immune system, although they cannot trigger immune reactions. Such substances are called haptens. The immune response specific to a hapten can be triggered if the hapten is chemically coupled with a protein. The latter in this case will be called a carrier.