Immunoglobulin content and antibody activity in an artificial body cavity

Artificial body cavities (ABC) were created by the insertion of hollow polyethylene balls in the subcutaneous tissue of rabbits. After two months no inflammatory reaction could be detected, the ABC was enveloped by a membranous structure, and the cavity contained about 20 ml of fluid. The protein concentration was about 3 times, and the IgG about 8 times, lower in the ABC fluids than in the corresponding serum. At the same time the antibody titers against sheep red blood cells (SRBC), human IgG and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) were about 20 200 times lower than in the corresponding serum samples. The IgG molecules appeared to be undamaged as shown by the presence of various allotypes and by the elution pattern from G-200 column. Testing the protective activity of ABC fluids and of serum against HSV infection showed that ABC fluids had no protective activity. The experiments suggest that the membranous structure selected among classes of Ig and probably among other serum proteins. In addition, the IgG molecules with antibody activity against various inoculated antigens were selectively excluded to penetrate in the ABC. The ABC might be considered analogous to virtual cavities of the body surrounded by membranes and possibly to the extravascular compartment.