The Effects of Heat on Antibody Activity

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Purified antibodies diluted in 0.15 M NaCl and heated at 70°C for 30 min showed no loss of ability to precipitate or to elicit the wheal and erythema responses. Antisera as well as purified antibodies diluted in normal serum, when heated at 70°C, showed a decrease in their ability to precipitate but retained their wheal and erythema reactivity. Purified antibody heated in the presence of serum had a monovalent behavior with respect to the antibody and was still capable of eliciting the wheal and erythema responses. It is postulated that heating produces changes in the antibody tertiary structure, which in the presence of serum allow for wedging of the albumin into the antibody molecule.