THE NATURE OF ANAPHYLATOXIN : STUDIES ON IMMUNITY. II

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Biochemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• The interaction between fresh serum and boiled proteins can generate toxic substances.
• The origin and nature of these toxic substances have been debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the origin and characteristics of poisonous substances formed from serum-protein interactions.
• To determine if these substances are related to anaphylatoxins.

Main Methods:

• Mixing fresh serum from pregnant or immunized animals with homologous boiled protein (substratum).
• Observing the formation of toxic substances.
• Analyzing the properties of the generated poisons, including their toxicity and relationship to antitrypsin and anaphylatoxins.

Main Results:

• The union of fresh serum and boiled protein results in the formation of poisonous substances.
• These poisons originate from the autodigestion of the serum, not the protein substratum.
• The generated poisons are toxic specifically to homologous animals.
• The biological properties of these poisons closely resemble anaphylatoxins, suggesting anaphylatoxin is a product of serum autodigestion.

Conclusions:

• The toxic substances formed are products of serum autodigestion.
• Anaphylatoxin is likely generated from the autodigestion of serum components.
• Antitrypsin removal plays a role in initiating serum autodigestion.