Antibody formation in dysgammaglobulinemia.

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Abstract
Antibody formation in Type I dysgamma-globulinemia, a syndrome characterized by deficiency of [gamma]A and [gamma] G and elevation of [gamma] M globulins, was studied by immunization with bacteriophage [PHI]-174. The bulk of the antibody formed was of the 19S type even after 5 injections of antigen. However, following the 2nd injection of antigen and thereafter significant amounts of [gamma] G antibody were produced. The increase in the magnitude of the 19S antibody response on repeated immunization indicates that the 19S antibody forming mechanism developed long-lasting immunological "memory." Previous failures to demonstrate an [gamma]M anamnestic response in guinea pigs and rabbits may be related to the inhibitory effects of [gamma]G antibody on [gamma]M antibody production. A slowly-sedimenting [gamma]M protein was demonstrated in the patient''s serum by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and gel filtration on G-200 Sephadex. The significance of the light [gamma]M in immunological responsiveness and its place in 19S [gamma]M metabolism require further investigation.