Attempts to isolation and characterization of autolymphocytotoxins from syphilitic sera

To solve problem if autolymphocytotoxins (AL) present in syphilitic sera are not circulating immune complexes (CIC), sera containing strong AL activity and weak CIC were precipitated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Received PEG-precipitates were filtrated on Bio-Gel A-1.5 column to separate CIC from AL. The Al were found in the first three after void volume fractions of the column. The fractions were examined on content of protein, sugar and sialic acid. The only correlation seen refers to the sugar and protein. The fraction which display the AL activity have the ratios of sugar to protein higher than non active fractions. The data indicated besides that AL is not CIC because it is not immunoglobulin nor Treponema pallidum antigen. For further biochemical characterization of these factors more material is needed.