The Fixation of Guinea Pig Complement by γ1 and γ2 Immunoglobulins

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Abstract
Several years ago the 7 S guinea pig immunoglobulins were separated into two well-defined electrophoretic classes: the slowly migrating γ2 and the more rapid γ1 (1–3). This achievement led to further studies which demonstrated that the ability to activate the complement (C′) sequence was confined to γ2 immunoglobulins. These antibodies failed to mediate passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in the guinea pig. In contrast, the γ1 immunoglobulins were capable of eliciting PCA reactions despite their purported deficiency in C′-fixing potency. We have re-investigated this question and have confirmed all the previous findings excepting the C′-fixing properties of γ1 type antibodies. These immunoglobulins do interact with guinea pig C′ components, but probably by a different pathway. Hartley strain guinea pigs were immunized with highly substituted dinitrophenylated bovine γ globulin (4) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant as described in (5). Initially, 250 µg of antigen were injected into each of the four toepads.

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