Serum of normal subjects contains IgG with antibody-like specificity for phospholipids

Using counterimmunoelectrophoresis, sera from normal subjects display precipitin activity against liposomes made by phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl serine and cardiolipin. No activity is detected by using liposomes made with phosphatidyl choline, sphingomyelin and phosphatidyl inositol. The same pattern of precipitation is obtained when pure IgG from normal subjects is tested against phospholipids. No precipitin activity is found by using pure IgM. The precipitin reaction is prevented by preincubating liposomes with Fab obtained from normal IgG.