INDIVIDUAL ANTIGENIC SPECIFICITY OF HUMAN MACROGLOBULINS

Abstract
The localization of individually specific antigenic determinants on the monoclonal γM Mö was studied in gel diffusion experiments with 19S γM Mö and its 7S subunit. Various types of such determinants were delineated. Some were demonstrable both on the intact macroglobulin molecule and on the subunit. The latter was often unable to precipitate with the corresponding antibody, but combined with it and inhibited precipitation. Immunization of rabbits with purified γMs Mö was the most useful way to obtain antisera demonstrating individually specific antigenic determinants on the subunit by direct precipitation. Still other determinants were apparently destroyed by mild reduction of the γM molecule.