Use of 2-mercaptoethanol to facilitate detection and classification of IgM abnormalities by immunoelectrophoresis

IgM immunoglobulins in elevated serum concentrations have a tendency to polymerize and form aggregates. When subjected to immunoelectrophoreses these proteins may deposit at the point of origin. This can result in failure to detect an IgM abnormality or the masking of other serum protein abnormalities migrating near the area of application. This paper demonstrates the importance of using reducing agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol not only to detect and/or to confirm the monoclonal IgM gammopathies but also to unmask other protein abnormalities.