Antigenicity of Hereditary Human Gamma Globulin (Gm) Factors--Biological and Biochemical Aspects

Abstract

Hereditary gamma globulins (Gm's) of different genetic types are detected by inhibition or non-inhibition of specific agglutination systems (e.g. Grubb and Laurell, 1956; Ropartz, Lenoir, and Rivat, 1961). Although inhibition of agglutination is similarly utilized in tests of specificity of many antigen-antibody systems, early workers considered the Gm-anti Gm reactions as nonimmunologic, and the anti-Gm agglutinators as nonspecific “reagins,” analogous to the Wasserman “reagins” (Grubb, 1958, 1961; Harboe, 1959). The evidence cited against the antigen nature of these Gm factors and the antibody character of the homologous anti-γ-globulin, included (1) lack of biologic reaction on infusion of γ-globulin into subjects possessing anti-γ-globulin agglutinators (Grubb, 1961), and on infusion of anti-γ-globulins into normal subjects (Harris and Vaughn, 1961); (2) similar survival time of injected Gm(a+) γ-globulin in patients with anti-Gm(a) as compared with normal subjects (Strassle, Alpstag, and Miescher, 1958); and (3) the presence of agglutinators only in patients with rheumatoid...