THE MECHANISM OF THE ABDERHALDEN REACTION : STUDIES ON IMMUNITY. I

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The Abderhalden reaction is a diagnostic method used in immunology.
• Its underlying mechanisms involving serum properties and immune responses were not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the specificity and underlying mechanisms of the Abderhalden reaction.
• To investigate the role of serum properties and autodigestion in the test's outcome.

Main Methods:

• The study focused on the development of serum properties in experimental animals during immunization.
• Analysis of the Abderhalden test was conducted in two distinct phases.
• Investigated the presence of digesting ferments and autodigestion products.

Main Results:

• The Abderhalden reaction was confirmed to be specific.
• Serum properties crucial for the reaction develop concurrently with antibodies during immunization.
• A dialyzable substance, resulting from serum autodigestion, appears in the second phase of the test.
• Serum autodigestion is triggered by the removal of antitrypsin by the sensitized substrate.

Conclusions:

• The Abderhalden reaction's specificity is linked to antibody development and associated serum property changes.
• The test's mechanism involves a two-phase process with serum autodigestion being a key event.
• Antitrypsin removal by the substrate is the cause of serum autodigestion in the Abderhalden test.