[Preparation and analysis of antiserum against light chains of human immunoglobulins]

Antisera to kappa chains were obtained in rabbits and sheep by immunization with monoclonal IgG or Bence-Jones proteins of kappa type. Antisera to lambda chains were obtained only in rabbits by immunization by lambda Bence-Jones proteins, but not with monoclonal IgG; sheep failed to produce antibodies to lambda chains. Antisera were evaluated by immunoelectrophoresis using Bence-Jones proteins of the same type and myeloma serum with monoclonal IgG of the other type. Unabsorbed antisera revealed two bands in the myeloma serum, one of which was formed by the monoclonal IgG reacting with antibodies to the gamma chain, the other -- by normal IgG reacting with both antibodies to the gamma and to the light chains. After adsorbtion with the monoclonal IgG of the other type only the normal IgG band was revealed by antibodies to the light chain. Comparative immunochemical analysis of antisera obtained at various stages of immunization with monoclonal IgG or Bence-Jones proteins showed that in the kappa chains the most antigenic were surface (accessable) determinants and in the lambda chains -- nonaccessable determinants.