Immunoglobulin Binding Factor in Human Seminal Plasma: Immunological Function

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Abstract
Human seminal plasma contains a protein with an estimated molecular weight of 16 kd that binds serum immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) and is named IgG binding factor (IgBF). Purified IgBF specifically suppressed pokeweed mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, having little or no effect on lymphocyte blastogenesis stimulated with phytohemagglutinin or Concanavalin A; antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity; natural killer cell activity; or complement-dependent cytotoxicity of antibodies against sperm. It would appear that IgBF may suppress activation of B cells in the male and female genital tract.