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Antibody-like activity to polyacrylic acid in normal rabbit sera
Biomedicine / [Publiee Pour L'A.A.I.C.I.G.]
|April 20, 1976
Summary
Most unimmunized rabbit sera contain a natural antibody that causes agglutination of polyacrylic acid-coated particles. This immunoglobulin is resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol and likely arises from exposure to similar natural substances.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Rabbit sera from unimmunized animals exhibit agglutination activity against polyacrylic acid-coated acrylic particles.
- This phenomenon suggests the presence of pre-existing factors in naive rabbit serum capable of recognizing specific antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the factor responsible for the observed agglutination in unimmunized rabbit sera.
- To understand the nature and origin of this naturally occurring antibody.
Main Methods:
- Agglutination assays using acrylic particles coated with polyacrylic acid.
- Biochemical characterization of the agglutinating factor, including resistance to 2-mercaptoethanol treatment.
Main Results:
- The agglutinating activity was attributed to a specific immunoglobulin.
- This immunoglobulin was found to be resistant to 2-mercaptoethanol, indicating its structural characteristics.
- The antibody was present in low concentrations and tentatively classified as a 'natural antibody'.
Conclusions:
- A 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant immunoglobulin, classified as a natural antibody, is responsible for the agglutination of polyacrylic acid-coated particles in unimmunized rabbit sera.
- The presence of this natural antibody is hypothesized to result from prior exposure to naturally occurring cross-reacting polyanions.